Banker makes sweet executive decision
Who: Randall Vitale’s career move took him from working behind a banker’s desk as senior vice president and Fort Lauderdale market executive for Gibraltar Private Bank & Trust, to working as regional vice president for Hoffman’s Chocolates, which has retail locations in Broward and Palm Beach counties. Based at the chocolatier’s Fort Lauderdale headquarters, Vitale says one of his sweetestdays atwork, so far, has been in the factory helping to make, package, and ship chocolate.
Sweet tooth or career strategy: Thoughbanking is not really a profession known for "fun," I worked to create an environment withmy team where we had as much fun as possible — clients can tell when people are happy to be atwork. But, after17 years in banking, it was time to try something a little more entrepreneurial — besides, what could be more fun than selling chocolate? Myth-busting
Whatdon’t peopleknow: Mostof our products are hand-made at our Greenacres Factory in Palm Beach County, using local ingredients as much as possible.
Biggest on-the-job surprise: Howmany peoplewant to bemynew best friend and their willingness to be "quality control" or "taste testers." Strategies
Typical day: Planning holiday sales six to eight months out, to building strategy on future locations, and supportingmy team.
Industry wisdom: 1. Hire the best possible talent, agree on what needs to be accomplished, offer to provide support when needed, then get out of theway. 2. Have fun.
Professional development: The people I have met along theway have becomegreat friends andclients, who have helped open doors I would not have even knownexisted; Leadership Florida.
Advice to young professionals: Volunteer, say yes, and showup.
Reading: “The True History of Chocolate,” by Sophie D. Coe, MichaelD. Coe