Excellence in Partnerships
Steve Longo, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives, CAP Index
“Around the age of ten, I started selling software demo kits alongside my dad,” said Longo. “He was a brilliant man, passionately building relationships with innovators in the early days of software development, including (name drop) Bill Gates. Later while still in school, I started working at CAP Index doing a lot of the sales ‘grunt work’ often given to the entry-level guy. Over the past twenty-five years, I’ve continued to work at CAP in various capacities, leading the company’s business development, marketing, event management, industry partnerships, and other efforts.”
Longo believes that true partners have a passion for getting involved. “It’s important to come prepared with ideas to share, respectfully participate in the conversation, and actively listen,” he said. “Strong partnerships come from sharing ideas and working together. But the most important trait is balance between the absolute serious nature of what we do in this industry—protecting people, businesses, livelihoods-and levity. Everyone needs a laugh, and it’s a great way to build relationships. When reviewing financials, creating policies, or teaming up with another group or company, a little levity goes a long way in developing strong relationships.”
Longo also feels it’s important to pay attention, share ideas, and add value whenever you can. “Get involved, listen more than you talk, and always have a perspective to contribute,” he said. “Be an expert at what you do and interested in learning what others do. Know your business and the value you bring, and you’ll be better able to focus on understanding others. You want to help others succeed. Make friends and have fun, but find a way to bring value. If you can make your customer the hero, you will have a customer for life.”
Nominations Are Encouraged
The LPM team is privileged to have a front-row seat to the very best in the loss prevention industry, providing a unique opportunity to present positive, productive ways to promote loss prevention, build successful and constructive partnerships, educate and inform the LP community, and support the thought leadership that drives us forward.
The LP Magazine “Magpie” Awards are a means to celebrate industry accomplishments on an ongoing basis, recognizing the loss prevention professionals, teams, solution providers, law enforcement partners, and others that demonstrate a stellar contribution to the profession. Steve Longo is among our September–October 2018 recipients.
We want this to be your program. Those of you working as LP practitioners witness these exceptional performances on a regular and ongoing basis, and we strongly encourage you to provide us with nominees for each of the award categories. We encourage creative nominations and want the program to cast a positive light on the many tremendous contributions of the loss prevention community. Nominations can be submitted via email to excellence [at] LPportal.com.
Find out who else has been recognized in the September–October 2018 issue – check out “LPM “Magpie” Awards: Applauding Excellence.”