Joe Schratt was appointed CEO of Canonsburg Electrical in June 2015, bringing with him more than 18 years of diversified experience in the power industry, with a focus towards driving operational efficiencies, financial planning and restructuring.
Joseph has been an integral part of Canonsburg Electrical’s transformation, after joining the power utility and has served the organization in various roles including as Chief Financial Officer, Company Secretary and Head of Treasury.
An accomplished Electrician and Expert in the field of Power Generation with over 18 years’ experience in all facets of power generation, switchgear and distribution equipment. He is an experienced master electrician of 18 years. He has been leading the team since the company’s start and has been managing the office since 2015.
Joseph Schratt keeps things organized and the team in line. Without his ambition and passion, the ship would surely sink. He built the company from the ground up.
What is Canonsburg Electrical all about?
Canonsburg Electrical is a leading electric utility company in Canonsburg, PA, providing reliable and affordable electricity to homes and businesses in the community. The company is dedicated to building a cleaner energy future for our customers and supporting a stronger economy. We are committed to delivering excellence in service and making sure our customers have access to affordable, reliable electricity.
What are your plans for the future, and how do you plan to grow this company?
I plan to develop new strategies that will lead to increased revenue and market share. With my passion for customer service, I aspire to earn my company a loyal following among clients and employees alike. In short, my plan is simple. I hope Canonsburg Electrical will continue its tradition of excellence for years to come.
In addition to expanding our customer base and growing our workforce, I am committed to giving back to the community that has supported us for so long. I plan to spearhead numerous initiatives to support education and workforce development in Pennsylvania.
How have the pandemic and Lockdown affected you or your new business?
The COVID-19 pandemic is no doubt the largest global health crisis of our time. It has impacted almost everyone and every industry sector. During the pandemic, we started understanding the need for digital transformation and actually sped up our transformation journey.
We started exploring and executing the operational activities remotely using advanced distribution management systems (ADMSs). We strengthened our revenue collection using more online options. We started implementing the AMI that enabled us to remotely read meters and generate accurate bills based on actual consumption. We also worked on automated inspections that reduced the impact on preventive maintenance schedules.
COVID-19 taught us to think deeply about the required contingency plans for any operational disruptions and ensure the safety and well-being of our employees.
How do you separate yourself from your competitors?
Canonsburg Electrical is a customer-centric electric utility company where we have developed a greater focus on our customers. We don’t sell power as a commodity, we have a segmented value proposition centered on customer needs. We invest in developing customer insight to appreciate what drives satisfaction and to identify opportunities for new services.
We have a consistently strong record for driving turnaround and growth strategies. These are underpinned by a resolute determination to uplift Canonsburg Electric’s socio-economic trajectory by linking business outcomes with sustainable development and keeping customer-centricity at the heart of the business.
Tell us a little bit about your marketing process, what has been the most successful form of marketing for you?
Our marketing process is simple. We introduce ourselves by telling our company’s big story and inspiring people. We talk to people, not bill payers. Our marketing strategy strictly avoids ‘can’t do’ arguments. We use data analytics to determine the right time to market our products based on energy use, age of home, etc. We market with a ‘public good’ message and focus on showing people why they need our products and services.
As far as the most successful form of marketing is concerned, it’s always been word of mouth.
What have been your biggest challenges and how did you overcome them?
COVID-19 has been the biggest challenge I faced as the CEO of Canonsburg Electrical since I joined it in 2015. It dispersed workforces and shifted energy demands. The shift in mindsets from if a utility could operate remotely to how this would happen was a big challenge and we overcame it with dedication and commitment to work. We quickly transformed operations to support flexible work arrangements and social distancing to make it happen.
What are you learning now? Why is that important?
Since the global pandemic, I have started learning the art of adaptability. I’m focusing on internalizing this feature into myself as an individual and into every system and process at Canonsburg Electrical. It is highly critical to be able to acquire the needed flexibility and ability to change to become successful.
What’s a productivity tip you swear by?
I focus less on filling slots in my calendar and more on filling myself up with energy to get more done. I do this by closing loops in my head. I never let a thought drain energy out of me by taking up space in my subconscious. Once I get over anything I had been thinking about doing for a while, I feel like opening up an entire world of creativity inside of me.
What helps you stay driven and motivated to keep going in your business?
I am motivated by purpose. I strive to learn new things every day. I love to feel that what I am doing matters.
What is your favorite quote?
“To succeed in life, you need two things: ignorance and confidence.”
– Mark Twain
What is your definition of success?
I am proud of the dedicated service we provide to our clients and plan to continue the strong commitment to our communities by building trusted partnerships, propelling growth in our region, leveraging technology, leading environmental sustainability, and driving a culture of empowerment and accountability. For me, this is real success.
I would like to quote Maya Angelou to answer this. “Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.”
How can readers get in touch with you?
Anyone can reach me at my workplace – Canonsburg Electrical Head Office in Canonsburg, PA.
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