Warren Ferster — Executive Director of ITC
Warren Ferster is the Executive Director of ITC, a software development company located in Manchester. It is focused on providing superior customer service and innovating within the digital marketing industry. ITC’s services are focused on building software and digital marketing. The company’s highly skilled and enthusiastic staff members are constantly pushing the envelope. The company is also known for its high-quality services and ability to provide its customers with exceptional solutions.
For over two decades, Warren Ferster worked as the CEO of the Gaynor Group, a family-owned business. The company was involved in the production of polyethene film. This material was then extruded and printed on flexible flexographic printers, which were used to produce carrier bags for some of the country’s top retailers, such as Marks & Spencer and Tesco.
He also worked as the CEO of Coral Products, a family-owned business. In addition to being a part of the plastics industry, the company was also involved in the production of injection-molded video cases. Eventually, the company was able to convert its factory into a facility that was capable of producing DVD and CD cases. At one point, the company was regarded as one of Europe’s largest media packaging firms.
Warren believes there’s nothing more important when building a business than recruiting the right people and treating them well. He knows that without his dedicated and incredibly talented staff, his companies wouldn’t function. He always makes sure to reward and recognize his employees for their work. Ensuring that ITC has a positive company culture allows everyone working at the company to do their best and be their most creative and productive selves.
Warren Ferster remembers how important it was to him to have positive and encouraging business mentors when he started his career. Hence, he tries to provide that same support whenever he can. He hopes that this will help each of his employees reach their full potential in their careers.
Warren is also a proponent of personal development and encourages his staff to pursue it. A lifelong learner, Warren believes that by living a philosophy of constant improvement, he can help inspire others to expand their horizons and keep an open mind when encountering new ideas. Curiosity, Warren has found, is a key element of success in both one’s career and personal life.
When he’s not working, Warren Ferster enjoys spending time with his family and is an active member of the local community organization, Yom Hashoah Manchester. As a tribute to Holocaust survivor and local resident Chaim Ferster, the city council of Salford has erected an audio-solar bench on the route he frequently walked with his dog.
Before he passed away at the age of 94, Chaim Ferster regularly talked about his experiences during the Holocaust with the younger generation. He wanted to help raise awareness about the war and discrimination. Warren Ferster is proud to honor Chaim through his work with Yom Hashoah Manchester and spends much of his free time volunteering there.
Where did the idea for your career come from?
Most of my life, I’ve been involved in manufacturing, factories running 24/7, 7 days a week. It was getting more difficult as time went on, and we as brothers, decided we needed to look for something completely different. An online technology business looked like an area to investigate.
What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?
Arrive at the office just before 9 am in time for team meetings.
Then concentrate on the finances of the business.
How do you bring ideas to life?
You have to have dreams that you believe in. The more dreams become real, the more determination you have, and if you are strong, these ideas do come to life, especially if you have the right team around you.
What’s one trend that excites you?
As more and more businesses trade online, you have 24-hour access to your business, and you can make decisions at any time anywhere in the world.
What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?
My biggest habit when I’m working is black coffee which I can drink continuously (This definitely does not work for everyone). It seems to relax me and ables me to be more productive and concentrate more.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Actually, I’ve been very proud of what I have achieved, but probably the main advice I would give my younger self is to learn from your mistakes.
Tell us something that’s true that almost nobody agrees with you on.
Everyone has 3 faces. The first face you show to the world.
The second face you show to friends and family, and the third you never show anyone because that is the truest reflection of who you are.
As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?
Treat your staff well. It’s not just about telling someone off if they’ve made a mistake, but praising them when they do something remarkable. These are the people who will grow your business.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business?
Choose what you think will be the right staff. Look after them financially and make them feel they are needed, and make the working place a good environment.
What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?
In my younger years, taking on too much instead of delegating.
What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?
The readers will have to work on their own ideas.
Can’t give all my ideas away.
What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?
Not so much of what I spent it on, but financial gifts to my children, and grandchildren, who I adore, and making contributions to various charities.
What is one piece of software or a web service that helps you be productive?
Search engines.
What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?
I’m not a great book reader but spend a lot of time reading a variety of newspapers online, by which time I have some knowledge of all the horrendous things that are going on in the small world we live in, and also you can pick up business ideas from others.
What is your favorite quote?
Concentrate on yourself and not on others.
Originally published at https://ideamensch.com on January 10, 2023.