Robert Decusati - Finding the Best Investment Solutions
When Robert Decusati bought Premier Top Solutions, an old manufacturing company, he adopted the strategy of investing capital where it could do the most good – improving manufacturing productivity, smoothing throughput and getting productsto the client faster. He worked on the replacement of an outdated IT system and developed a way to report the profitability per customer. This gave him the insight to improve pricing procedures, and increase prices where it would benefit the company the most without losing any customers. He sought ways to improve the staff where possible. All his efforts resulted in him being able to profitable sell Premier Top Solutions after 27 months of buying it.
This did not happen by chance. Robert had been honing his ability to choose from among the various investment opportunities that present themselves throughout his career. As Director, Production Inventory Control at Rubbermaid, he introduced new products and implemented Kanban, while getting rid of 750 SKUs that were no longer justified by customer demand.
At Eastern Seaboard Packaging, he negotiated a joint venture to secure a national distribution footprint and conducted due diligence on ten possible acquisitions before selecting the two that were best for the company.
And at Klockner Pentaplast as Corporate Controller America, he concluded four more acquisitions, as well as implementing a SERP and managing a successful transition to SAP 6.0.
All of this was excellent preparation for the successful reconstruction and sale of Premier Top Solutions, company owned by Robert Decusati.
Robert Decusati - Building a Career
When Robert Decusati joined Cytec Inc. he knew he was starting a career but he had no idea where it would take him. What he did was to look for opportunities and take them when they arise. He had joined Cytec as a member of their financial management training program. A promotional opportunity came up first as Supervisor of General Accounting and later as Supervisor of Cost Accounting. The next chance was to look after procurement and planning in a small plant, and he took it relocating his small family to Valencia California.
He left Cytec to join Rubbermaid where promotional opportunities came once more – this time, after a spell as Controller at a stand-alone subsidiary, than progressing through the ranks of Manager of FP&A at the divisional level and then an opportunitymanage a division restructuring effort from the financial side, and lastly was to be Director of Production Inventory Control.
Next stop was Director of Finance and Administration (CFO) at Fuchs Systems which was a standalone subsidiary of Siemens. The key task was to design and implement a restructuring plan to restore profitability. As Robertcame on board he uncovered a number of accounting problems that amounted to a $6.8 million exposure. He got control of the situation with GAAP systems and procedures and then successfully developed controls and tools to facilitate this business unit to run profitably. A move to Eastern Seaboard Packaging as VP Finance and Corporate Controller, another to Klockner Pentaplast, and now Robert Decusatiwas ready for the biggest opportunity so far – he bought a fabricating company and used all the skills and understanding he had developed in order to restructure, improve profitability and sell the company at a profit.
Robert Decusati - Exploiting Opportunities
In 2005, as CFO of ESP Packaging, Robert Decusati coordinated the sale and lease back of the company’s property on Hopping Brooke Lane in Holliston Mass. John and Nikki Holcomb, owners of ESP Packaging, said, ‘Bob brought this creative solution to us and then executed the actual transaction. This helps the company at a critical time after the loss of a large account.’ Robert Decusatireplied, ‘This transaction gives us an ongoing favorable lease for many years and, most importantly, frees up cash for our future penetration into the self-storage market niche.’
Earlier, at Newell Rubbermaid Inc., Robert was the winner of the Continuous Value ImprovementProcess Divisional Leadership Award for the Office Product Division for what was described as “extraordinary efforts in leading the Division restructuring effort”. Divisional EBITDA increased by $8.5 million annually.
Klockner Pentaplast, where Robert was Corporate Controller America, threw up a number of opportunities for cost reduction, all of which he implemented to produce a total saving of $173,000. These included negotiating a reduction in property taxes (savings: $35,000), getting rid of commission paid on scrap sales ($18,000), an R&D tax credit study in Quebec worth $17,000 in tax cuts, new travel/expense reporting procedures ($23,000), and participation in an electric brownout grid for a cash rebate of $80,000.
Robert Decusati believes that closely examining every line of expenditure will highlight a number of opportunities for cost reduction. If net margin on sales is 20%, every dollar cut from the cost base is equivalent to a $5 increase in revenue, and the cost reduction will usually be easier than the sales increase.
Robert Decusati - You Sometimes Have to Make Tough Decisions
When, like Robert Decusati, someone has spent time in a seminary, he knows the importance of people and sees the need to operate always in a way that places the interests of people center stage. Management styles that treat human capital as no more significant than forklifts or machine tools have no place in Robert’s world view, but he knows that managers sometimes have to make decisions that will make life difficult for some of their people.
If reducing headcount from 900 to 750 means that the seven hundred and fifty people who keep their jobs will keep their jobs, while not reducing headcount means that 900 people won’t be in employment in a few months’ time solid analysis has to show this and then hard decisions have to be made. If keeping the bottom line positive demands that a contractor for whom you are the sole client has to give way to a more cost-effective alternative, that’s how it has to be, however painful for company and contractor.
Robert Decusati offers this advice to managers faced with hard decisions:
- The buck stops here - You’re the owner/CEO/responsible line manager and making decisions like this is what you’re paid for. Don’t shirk responsibility.
- Act with humanity - While you’re in that hot-seat, remember the humanity of the people who are going to be impacted. Treat all with kindness, but do what has to be done.
- Communicate - Business is for grown-ups. Share everything with your people. Tell them the bad as well as the good. Explain why a specific choice is being made and the key alternatives considered but rejected.
Robert Decusati believes that following these steps makes the hardest decisions easier to implement.
Robert DeCusati - Civil War History Junkie
Robert DeCusati has lived throughout the United States working as a finance manager. DeCusati has lived in two hotbeds of Civil War history, Richmond, Virginia, where he currently lives, and Knoxville, Tennessee. Knoxville was the site of a crucial battle during the Civil War that DeCusati loves to learn about.
Knoxville was the object of a long and bloody campaign by both sides during the Civil War. Both sides coveted the city’s railroad station that linked Confederacy’s east and west sides. The two primary generals during the Knoxville Campaign were James Longstreet on the Confederacy side and Ambrose Burnside on the Union side. Burnside came to occupy Knoxville and eventually hold it under Confederacy siege in the end. One of the decisive battles of the campaign occurred near where Robert DeCusati and his family lived near Knoxville in Campbell’s Station.
Robert DeCusati loves to think about the brave men who fought and died an hundred and fifty years ago in the places where he has lived and visited. Throughout his travels, DeCusati has always been drawn to the history of the places he has found himself, especially in Richmond, where he now lives, and Knoxville.
Robert DeCusati - Many Different Career Paths in the Financial Industry
Robert DeCusati took his path through the finance function because he wanted to help companies become more profitable and sound. He has worked as a finance manager for top tier companies over the years. DeCusati’s career path isn’t the only one for all aspiring finance professionals, however, here are a few other ways you can be a successful financial professional:
- Investment Banking. Robert DeCusati has watched the careers of fellow graduates from Fairfield who entered the investment banking realm. This is a smaller niche and therefore a bit tougher industry to break into as a novice financial professional. These positions, however, are also among the most challenging and rewarding that a recent college graduate with a degree in finance can hope for. Analysts work closely with their superiors researching market trends and making forecasts to properly invest large sums of their client’s money, and consulting on business sales and mergers
Financial Analysts. Another career path that Robert DeCusati has great respect for, Financial Analysts who support management at their organization by delivering quality analysis and models of key business scenarios. This analysis provides the groundwork for decision making and the best companies put quality personnel in these roles. Robert DeCusati believes quality finance professionals help companies become more profitable and efficient by optimizing decision making through sound financial analysis.
Robert DeCusati -How to Make Something Out of a Little
Part of the reason why getting a job in any industry fresh out of college is tough is because there is stiff competition throughout the sector and the economy is soft. Robert DeCusati found his first job as a financial management trainee and segued that by working hard to build his experience and network, and even then he considers himself fortunate to have received many of the promotional opportunities he did. DeCusati now works as an accounting / finance professional, helping companies add value and managing control system and procedures
Robert DeCusati found success in the financial industry after he gained a foothold through one of the mentors he met in his college days at Fairfield University, where he graduated with a BS degree in Finance. Robert DeCusati developed solid communication skills and continued to enhance that skill through The Toastmasters, a public speaking club. It may seem like an easy feat to design and write good resumes, but many recent college graduates struggle to accurately render their true successes and experiences in this critical document. Coming out of college, you will likely have a thin work experience section on your resume. However, after you just spent four years learning about accounting, finance, and business in general try to emphasize key classes on your “paper” to sell yourself in the best possible light. List what meager work experience you have, including unpaid internships and volunteer positions, but don’t forget to list your accomplishments in the classroom. Be as detailed as possible about your class projects, and list friendly professors and advisors as references.
Robert DeCusati built on his initial success in accounting by delivering value to the company he works for.
Robert DeCusati - How to Find a Job in Finance
Robert DeCusati is an accounting/finance manager and has progressed up through GL, Cost, FP&A, and Controllership roles since graduating from Fairfield University. He has worked with top tier companies across several different industries. Each step Bob DeCusati has utilized the concepts learned in Newell / Rubbermaid’s Six Sigma program (called CVIP, Continuous Value Improvement Process at this company) to help make them more profitable.
He managed / participated in several acquisitions and the subsequent post acquisition integration efforts. DeCusati is most recently helping an Australian mining company close its operations in the United States.
Working in any kind of finance job like Robert DeCusati usually means that you have to graduate from a four-year college with a degree in finance, accounting, economics, or business. Chances are, earning your degree has led you to search out different corporations and financial institutions that need entry-level workers to help them. Corporate analysts help to make business decisions based on the providing analysis to business decision making, accountant’s budget and track spending.
All companies, firms, financial institutions and insurance companies need transaction-related professionals. These positions encompass GL accounting, cost accounting underwriters who evaluate risk, and a myriad of other roles to successfully record and process financial transactions.
Finance and Accounting degrees also provide a solid basis for work in financial planning for the organization, brokerage firms and as accounting is the “language of business” it is a solid degree for any business related occupation. To decide where you fit into the financial sector, consider your career goals and which specific financial subjects you enjoyed the most while studying the profession in school.
Robert DeCusati has added value to different companies across several different industry sectors during his career. DeCusati works as a financial professional managing accounting functions today.
Robert DeCusati - Chess to Exercise the Brain
Robert DeCusati enjoys an on-line chess match when his demanding work schedule allows it.. He enjoys the mental challenge chess poses, and he has fun coming up with new chess strategies. Chess is a game that exercises your mind. It is a two player game, and is played on a chessboard that has sixty-four squares arranged in an eight-by-eight grid. Chess is played in homes, in tournaments, in parks, online, in clubs, and more. It is a popular game that tests a person’s skills at planning and strategizing.
Each person has sixteen chess pieces. One person’s set is white and the other person’s is black. The white players always move first. Each player has a king and a queen, two knights, two rooks, two bishops, and eight pawns. The objective is to capture the other player’s king. A successful player is able to predict what their opponents next moves are going to be, and plan accordingly. In order to win at chess, you need to have your opponents moves figured out, and your next several steps planned. This is the surest way to achieve a checkmate.
Chess tournament draw people from all over the world. There are also many national and international high schools that host chess clubs for their students. Chess requires mental focus, attention to detail, and strategic thinking. It is a game that fully exercises your mind and teaches you how to plan. It is a great game for people who enjoy strategy and mental challenges. Robert DeCusati loves to participate in a game of chess whenever he has the time.
Robert DeCusati - The Value of History
Robert DeCusati is passionate about history. He loves to learn about the culture, politics, and outcomes of the civil war. He believes that history is vital to anyone’s education. Historic knowledge is a valuable asset. The best way to understand the present, is to know about the past.
American history, as well as world history, can teach you about present society and culture. Every aspect of the American government is based on history. The development of the constitution, and the amendments to it, should always be studied in their historic context. The culture, and the state of society, dictated which political aspects were important and the policies that resulted from them.
The knowledge and technology of the present can be traced back through time. Galileo’s writings on heliocentric theories, Alexander Bell’s invention of the telephone, and many other discoveries and writings dictate the modern world’s education and advances.
Historically wars are also essential to the understanding of international relations and political movements. The United States of America had two major wars on its soil. The American Revolution and the Civil War. The American Revolution was a war between the American colonies and the British. The colonists decided that they did not want to be a part of the United Kingdom any longer. They fought for their independence and became their own country.
The Civil War took place between the northern states and the southern states. This war was catalyzed by the south’s desire to continue slavery, and their desire to secede from the union and become their own country. This war ended in the abolishment of slavery, and the United States was kept whole.
Both of these wars left a major impact on society, and dictated the formation of modern culture. Robert DeCusati loves studying history. He is always ready to learn something new.
Robert DeCusati - How to Succeed as a Financial Consultant
A Financial Consultant can works with several companies, and assist them with different aspects of their business. Post ESP Packaging Robert DeCusati helped Office Depot uncover the key factors to a $72million inventory loss and post the sale of Premier Top Solutions he facilitated an Australian company terminate their US mining operations. He is assisting them in shutting down their operations in the United States due to very soft market pricing for their key products, Ilmenite which is a mined material that has high percentages of TiO2 (Titanium Dioxide) in it and also Zircon. Financial Consultants are often called upon for short term jobs such as these. In order to succeed as a Financial Consultant, it is important to have experience in multiple industries, a wide network, and strong organizational skills.
As a Financial Consultant, you can be but not always employed by just one company. You can work for several companies and businesses across several different industries. It helps to have multi-industry experience and be knowledgeable about many different aspects if finance and accounting. It is vital that you are able to adapt to different business styles, and that you know how each type of business functions internally.
Having a wide network will help you obtain regular clients. If you have a strong social skill package and network with people in your industry, you will be able to find clients easier due to recommendations. You should also make sure to build strong and trusting relationships with every one of your clients. Then, they will recommend you to their colleagues, and they will come back to you whenever they are in a jam and need quality financial work done.
A Financial Consultant may work for several different companies but Bob has only done consulting as a filler. This means that it is vital to have strong organizational skills. You need to be able to keep each company’s records separate and you need to be able to find each one of their documents.
Robert DeCusati is a successful Financial Consultant. He has enjoyed working in several different industries and gaining more experience and knowledge.
Robert DeCusati - Why Get a Bachelor’s of Science in Finance
Robert DeCusati earned a Bachelor of Science from Fairfield University. He specialized in business and finance, and as soon as he graduated, he began to build his career. This degree can open up a multitude of career avenues. If you are interested in working in the business world, especially the finance industry, a Bachelor of Science in either business, or finance, would help accelerate your career.
In this degree program, you will learn about every facet of the business world. In order to build a successful career in this field, you need to have a basic knowledge of contract policies, macroeconomics, international business policies, and business management. You need to have an in depth knowledge of accounting, financial reporting, financial analysis and investment practices. This degree will prepare you to manage budgets, maximize investments, leverage assets, and achieve financial efficiencies.
While all of these classes and theories are important, there are some things you cannot learn inside the classroom. This is where your professors, and your connection with your university come in handy. You should use these connections to find an internship. Working for a company, while you are in school, will allow you to put the theories you learn in class to use. You will gain real world experience and knowledge. Most importantly, you will begin to build connections. It is vital to start networking as soon as possible. This professional network will help you find a job once you graduate from school.
Robert DeCusati was the first in his family to attend and graduate from a university. He puts his Bachelor of Science to good use in the finance industry.
