News
// Executive Profile – Scott Dennis
By Andrew Schweizer – San Diego Business Journal, July 5, 2010
(View original article on sdbj.com.com) — Scott Dennis is the chief executive officer and co-founder of D&K Engineering Inc., a San Diego-based research and development, engineering and contract manufacturing services company focused on developing and manufacturing electromechanical products and equipment.
BUSINESS PHILOSOPHY
Essential business philosophy: Relentless focus on customer service throughout the organization. Hire the brightest people who are dedicated to delivering the highest quality technical solutions.
Best way to keep a competitive edge: Always try to delight the customer by giving them a little more than they expect; recognize and focus on your core competency.
Guiding principles: Hard work and the enjoyment of it; always pursue continuous improvement; be accountable for commitments made.
Yardsticks of success: Majority of business comes from referrals or follow-on work.
Goals yet to be achieved: Continuing to scale the company globally.
JUDGMENT CALLS
Best business decision: Learning how to identify the right executive team and leverage their talent in the business.
Worst business decision: Trying to stretch working capital too thin in the early days.
Toughest business decision: Letting people go.
Biggest missed opportunity: Lost a large contract we should have won because we focused on the wrong element in the proposal — now we know better!
Mentor: My father (values, integrity, life principles), Bruce Pinkston and D&K co-founder (early mentor in setting up the company).
Word that describes you: Analytical.
TRUE CONFESSIONS
What you like best about your job: Being a part of a creative, innovative company — getting to watch a steady stream of products go through the phases of dream to viable concept to functional prototype to ongoing successful manufacture.
What you like least about your job: Time and travel demands of my job make me miss some of my kids’ athletic events.
Pet peeves: Passive aggressiveness.
Most important lesson learned: Savor the journey.
Person most interested in meeting: Jesus.
Three greatest passions: Entrepreneurship, athletics, family.
First choice for a new career: Medical relief work.
PREDILECTIONS
Favorite quote: Theodore Roosevelt’s “Man in the Arena” speech.
Most influential book: “Good to Great,” by Jim Collins.
Favorite status symbol: Products we’ve successfully innovated.
Favorite restaurant: Tambuah Mas, Singapore.
Favorite place for business meetings: Las Vegas.
Favorite vacation spot: Bay Islands, Honduras.
Favorite way to spend time: Running, cycling or rebuilding an old Toyota Land Cruiser.
— Andrew Schweizer
