Mia Allen is the vice president of Rose Pallet, a national pallet provider headquartered in Bridgeview, Ill.
Pallet Enterprise: What is the best piece of business advice that you have ever received?
Allen: I have been fortunate to receive a lot of great business advice throughout my career. But one that is ingrained in my daily habits is “Do it now and always do things when you say you’re going to do them.” I’m a “doer” by nature and I believe that has greatly contributed to my success. I don’t wait or sit on things for very long, otherwise they could be forgotten. I find it’s always best to just get things done and completed right away.
Pallet Enterprise: How do you help new employees understand your company’s culture/core values?
Allen: We have developed a multi-step integration process for all of our new employees. Every new hire becomes acquainted with each of our departments and receives an understanding of how our process works. They receive an employee handbook in which one of the first sections outlines our core values. I personally make sure that every member of my staff understands not only what is expected of them but also my philosophy of how to properly be a service provider in the pallet industry. This heavily stresses customer service, open communication with co-workers and tons of relationship building with both vendors and customers.
Pallet Enterprise: Do you think there are any new issues that the industry is going to have to deal with in the next year?
Allen: The newest issues that we have been dealing with, which I believe will only be more prevalent next year, involve the rise in new homes being built and sold. Our mills have not had to compete with a rigorous housing industry in the past few years. But that is changing rapidly and lumber availability is becoming more and more of an issue.
Pallet Enterprise: You recently received a business award. Can you share about that and what it’s like to be a company leader in a mostly male-dominated industry?
Allen: I was very honored when I was notified that I was an honoree of the Daily Herald Business Ledger 2013 Influential Women in Business. It is not a distinction I take lightly, and after 16 years in the pallet industry, I am still amazed how rare it is to find women executives. However, my experience has taught me that there are more ways to success than just the beaten path and that has made all the difference in my career. Pursuing my passion, even when outnumbered, has led me to an exciting profession with like-minded people.
