Luckily, there are role models for excellence all around us. By working on their business rather than in it, these companies not only achieve tangible results, they serve as inspiration to business owners everywhere.

Thinking about going green? Revamping your sales and marketing? Upgrading employee training? Then consider the strategies adopted by some strong New York performers.

Going Green

Green practices make smart business sense. Take Design & Source Productions, a New York-provider of finished secondary and promotional packaging. Its clients include Liz Claiborne and Starbucks. Design & Source founder and president, Laura Tufariello, was a longtime believer in sustainable living and launched Chameleon Packaging, a new environmental division that offers a line of eco-friendly packaging products that also meet the budgets of clients and prospects. She literally gave clients the opportunity to go green and remain cost vigilant.

Design & Source took sustainable practices a step further by switching to 100 percent wind power through ConEdison Solutions’ green power program. Tufariello also sought out associations whose members share similar values, and joined the Sustainable Packaging Coalition and Businesses for Social Responsibility. These associations resulted in providing current up to date information to its clients and some excellent networking as well. She and her colleagues positioned themselves as experts by educating the public by participating in workshops on sustainable practices across the country.

Not only is the company protecting the planet, it is also now collaborating on projects with such industry leaders as Burt’s Bees, Target and the Museum of Modern Art. These partnerships have proven healthy to the firm’s bottom line; recently, Design & Source’s revenues jumped to $2.86 million – a 30 percent increase over the previous year.

Marketing, Sales and Training

How well does your sales and marketing platform reflect your company’s core offerings? If it seems it’s time for an overhaul, then you’ll be especially interested in Fred L. Schwam’s approach. Schwam is the founder and president of American Christmas, a Bronx-based company with 105 employees that provides custom manufacturing, design, installation, removal, storage and refurbishing of holiday décor. Founded in 1988, the company creates displays for such high profile clients as Radio City Music Hall, Saks Fifth Avenue, Rockefeller Center, and Banana Republic.

Recently, the company boosted its marketing, sales and training efforts. Now, new hires are cross-trained to gain a deep appreciation of American Christmas’ core culture and brand. To hone their selling skills, sales trainees shadow seasoned employees. The company also redesigned its website and logo, introduced a new tagline (so that its image was upscale), and matched the sophisticated level of services American Christmas was already providing its clients. Since the marketing push, the company recently reported a 40 percent jump in revenues and even added eight new full-time employees.

So go ahead. Commit your company to excellence. It’s the surest path to success.

Robert Levin, Founder, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher of The New York Enterprise Report