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This edition of region's Top 50 Businesses shows the many ways to reach the top

Tuesday, April 09, 2002

By Douglas Heuck , Post-Gazette Business Editor

Though we ranged into many topics with some being quite sensitive, one quote from a three-day interview with Jonas Salk almost a decade ago comes to mind regarding today's Top 50 Business section.

	Illustration by Daniel Marsula, Post-Gazette

It was the last major interview of Salk's life and perhaps the only in-depth one of his last decade -- probably because he viewed newspapers as "the daily pathology report." His suggestion for the newspaper? "Study success."

We do that today, in this special section.

In the first part of the section, we look at the publicly traded companies doing the best in several standard measures of business performance: revenue, revenue growth, return on equity, stock price increase, market capitalization and net income.

And we look at which companies have found the most success in combining those measures.

Then we look at privately held local companies, hospitals and educational institutions, ranking them on revenue figures supplied by Dun & Bradstreet, the business information and research firm.

Finally, we measure companies that aren't headquartered here but have a large presence in Greater Pittsburgh. If there were any doubts as to whether Pittsburgh is fully immersed in the stream of global capitalism, this list of firms should dispel them.

We are also printing a piece based on the success of Hefren-Tillotson, ranked the best place in Pennsylvania to work among medium-sized employers. We asked them to write it and let us know what it is that they're doing right.

	Audio: Behind the Top 50 Click to download these MP3 samples: Business Editor Douglas Heuck talks about some of the considerations weighed in selecting the firms spotlighted in the department's special report.(File size: 952 KB) Heuck describes the factors that makes a company's stock price perform well in a down economy. (516 KB) Heuck talks about the selection of the regional business with the fastest growing revenue. (1.1MB) PG Business Writer Dan Fitzpatrick discusses the historic criteria for business success in Pittsburgh (1.05MB). Fitzpatrick describes how the criteria for success has evolved locally. (1.1MB) Visit the following sites to download players for Windows or Mac machines to listen to the file: Real Player Microsoft Windows Media Player WinAMP

In the second half of this section are two articles that look at success.

In one, Post-Gazette Staff Writer Stephanie Franken delves into the question of what it takes to make it as an entrepreneur in Pittsburgh.

Often described as an historic, entrepreneur-laden city that has turned risk-averse, Pittsburgh, it turns out, isn't standing in anyone's way, said the dozen entrepreneurs interviewed.

The most critical element to starting a business and succeeding is within the individual, not within the economic development agency.

So what does it take to succeed? And what does it mean to succeed?

Those questions are explored in a central essay. Post-Gazette Staff Writer Dan Fitzpatrick searches for the definition of success. He traces it from 18-century America to the present, from Ben Franklin to entrepreneur Bill Strickland.

As it turns out, succeeding in business without really trying happens only on Broadway. Or as the deposed Woody Hayes once warned a rural Ohio crowd at a raccoon dinner I went to with my college football coach: "Success comes before work in only one place -- the dictionary."

Aside from work, other elements emerge -- luck, the ability to work with others , perseverance and discipline.

But the one characteristic that struck me most is what we could lump together as goals and vision or, as former Allegheny Technologies Chairman Dick Simmons said in part of an interview, innovation.

It applies to people, to businesses and to cities: in order to achieve or succeed, there must be an image to pursue. A better way. Maybe it's getting in shape or reading more; maybe it's a commitment to working together as a team more or creating a new manufacturing process at the office; or maybe it's finding a way of making Pittsburgh or the local park a little bit better.

Have you ever tried to define success? If so, what steps are you taking to reach it?

Rare, indeed, is the person who works on perfecting a personal virtue a week, as Franklin did. But periodically polishing our visions for ourselves, our companies and our region can only help all three in the long run.

Correction/Clarification: (Published April 12, 2002) Koppers and National City were omitted from Tuesday's special section on Pittsburgh's Top 50 businesses. Koppers made Dun and Bradstreet's list of top private companies. National City is headquartered elsewhere, but has large operations here.

Top 50 contents:

Alcoa and II-VI topped this year's lists of best local public companies

Foreign companies, out-of-state firms playing vital role in region's economy

Biggest local private companies play high-profile role in region

The winners in revenue and revenue growth differ in both age and stature

Recession trims profits at local leaders

Brawny Consol generates best return for investors

Ansys takes top spot in stock price increase

Big guys lead pack in market capitalization

Program prepares students for technology careers and increases the chances they'll work in Pittsburgh

Defining success

How to succeed in business (by trying hard)

Local entrepreneurs give their views on the Pittsburgh scene and what it takes to make it

Its president tells how one local company keeps its employees happy

Related article: The Top 50 business leaders in Pittsburgh