Doug Pitassi is the president of Pacific Office Automation, a company that is focused on addressing a wide variety of printing and copying needs for all types of businesses. Pitassi joined Pacific Automation in 1997 and has been with the company ever since, serving in a variety of roles that include his current position as president of the company.
Pitassi was first drawn to Pacific Office Automation due to the company’s lofty aspirations. Over the past 18 years, Pitassi has helped Pacific Office Automation expand its reach so that it now serves Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah and Washington through a total of 25 offices. The company provides office management solutions that utilize some of the most cutting-edge technologies available on the market today.
As the company has grown, so too has Pitassi. The experience gained through his time at Pacific Office Automation has proved invaluable, as Pitassi has had ample opportunity to experiment with various strategies aimed at stimulating growth and helping the company operate in a more efficient manner. Pitassi has also played a vital role in ensuring that the company is able to offer the most state-of-the-art products available for assisting companies in operating at the most efficient level possible.
For Pitassi, “Problem Solved” is much more than just a company motto. Though there are constant challenges in serving as the president of Pacific Office Automation, Pitassi has found that arriving at solutions to these challenges is an incredibly rewarding component of his role as president. Pitassi has been inspired by the people with whom he works and cherishes all of the choices he has made in his professional career that have led to his long association with Pacific Office Automation.
How did you get started?
I got started with Pacific Office Automation back in 1997 after spending a great deal of my professional career consulting companies on how to streamline their office operations. We saw an opportunity for mutual growth and began working together on strategies to begin expanding Pacific Office Automation’s reach.
The company began in 1976 and initially sold copy machines. The idea for the company came out of the need for offices to be able to keep pace with technologies that were rapidly changing and becoming better able to assist offices in running more efficiently.
How do you make money?
We offer consultation and products that are designed to improve office workflow for companies of any size. Our company provides our customers with not only products, but also with information, advice and concrete solutions to office efficiency issues.
How long did it take to get your business into the black?
The company began very modestly and grew accordingly. As time has passed, we have been able to grow significantly, particularly in recent years.
When you were starting out, was there ever a time you doubted it would work? If so, how did you handle that?
Of course there are always some doubts at first, but we have always felt very confident that our products and services are the best available. Being able to offer superior knowledge and cutting-edge products gives us a distinct advantage, so we knew that any setbacks we experienced would only be temporary.
How did you get your first customer?
Pacific Office Automation had been in business for over 20 years before I joined, but my focus has always been on retaining current customers rather than attracting new ones. We have found that customer referrals are the best way to generate new business, so we simply try to give all of our current customers the best possible products and services with the knowledge that their satisfaction is the best form of advertising.
How are you marketing your business? What strategy works best?
Again, customer referrals have proved to be the strongest marketing strategy we can use. There is no better advertisement than the praise of a satisfied customer.
Is there a trend in your industry that particularly excites you right now?
The fact that technology is improving at such a rapid rate means that there is something new and exciting that we can utilize to help our clients operate more efficiently. Sometimes it is hard to keep up with the constant changes, but so much good has come out of the technological advancements that I cannot really complain.
What is the toughest decision you’ve had to make in the last few months?
We have seen increasing demand for our services of late, so I guess the toughest decision I have had to make was whether I could afford to take a day off.
What do you think it is that makes you successful?
I think the most important thing has been my willingness to adapt to what seems like are daily changes. This industry requires adjustments to be made at a near-constant rate, and I feel like we have done an excellent job at making the appropriate adjustments when necessary.
What has been your most satisfying moment in business?
I have had such a long and satisfying career that I could not possibly name just one moment. There are simply too many to choose from.
Tell us about one of your hobbies when you’re not working.
The great thing about Portland is that there seems to be something new and unique going on every weekend, so I try to experience something new whenever I can. When the weather is nice, I enjoy riding with a local cycling group.
Is there anything about your career that you would change?
Absolutely not. My experience with Pacific Office Automation has been nothing short of extraordinary.