Bedding newsmaker: ISPA's Dick Doyle
By David Perry -- Furniture Today, July 12, 2004
Name: Dick Doyle
Position: President and CEO, International Sleep Products Assn.
Years in current position: Two
Bedding career highlights: Supported the establishment of the ISPA Strategic Plan, giving added focus and direction to the products and services of the association in support of members' operations.
What is the greatest issue facing the bedding industry? In the short term, it is the effective and efficient implementation of a national open-flame fire-safety standard. In the long term, other pressing business issues such as health care, pensions, taxes and trade will have significant impacts on the future of this industry.
If you could change one thing in the bedding industry, what would it be? As ISPA continues to enhance its overall efforts to support the needs of the mattress industry, we need broader involvement from all sectors of the membership. While still maintaining the strong member support that we currently enjoy, we need to reach further into our member companies and throughout the membership to engage a broader segment of our membership in our efforts.
What has been the biggest change you've seen in the bedding industry in the past year? The growing importance of specialty products.
What are your key business goals for 2004? Our primary goal is to continue to enhance the business value we provide our members. We have a first-rate group of professionals on the ISPA staff who are very much goal- and performance-oriented. This, coupled with the commitment of our industry leaders, has positioned ISPA to effectively advance our mission of "protecting and enhancing the growth, profitability and stature of the mattress manufacturing industry."
What is the last good business book you've read and what did you learn from it? "Lexis and the Olive Tree." It reinforced my appreciation of the importance of globalization, and the impact this has on the manufacturing community and society as a whole. The message underscored the importance of embracing this new world reality, and identifying ways to be effectively involved.
What are your pet peeves about the bedding industry? Too often consumers view our members' products as commodities without appreciating the significant role mattresses play in sleep, health and quality of life. While we have made good strides through the Better Sleep Council to educate consumers on the importance of comfort and quality bedding, we have tremendous opportunities that we could be pursuing.
What's something about the bedding industry that most people outside the industry don't know or appreciate? This is a terrific industry that is populated by genuinely great people. I have been very fortunate to develop friendships with many fine industry representatives over the past two years.
What are the most important qualities someone needs in order to achieve long-term success in the bedding industry? They must be business-savvy, engaging, willing to go the extra mile, understand societal trends, and recognize that their fiercest competitor may be their next employer.
