25 company reports WITH america’S BUSINESS LEADERS
www.businessreviewusa.com | December 2010
Exclusive Interview: Interbrand and B360 Studios on building and maintaining a brand
EMPIRES ARE BUILT OUT OF TOUGH TIMES this is the sub standfirst this is the sub standfirst
what you need to know about hiring an independent contractor
tech 2010 review
Using Social Media to Grow Customer Base and Attract Clients
Get your FREE
SUBSCRIPTION Business Review USA is the premium business magazine for executives
NEVER MISS AN ISSUE
HOW TO REACH US EMEA White Digital Media Ltd Grosvenor House, Prince of Wales Road, Norwich, Norfolk NR1 1NS T. +44 (0) 1603 217530 E. ukinfo@whitedm.com US WEST COAST White Digital Media INC Centerpoint Plaza, 5901 Priestly Drive, Suite 304, Carlsbad, CA 92008 T. +1 760 827 7800 E. ukinfo@whitedm.com US EAST COAST White Digital Media INC 100 Cummings Center, Suite 402C, Beverly, Mass 01915 T. +1 978 279 9200 E. usinfo@whitedm.com CANADA White Digital Media Ltd 30 Eglinton Ave WestSuite 740, Mississauga, ON, L5R 3E7 T. +1 905 890 8111 E. usinfo@whitedm.com INDIA White Digital Media Ltd H5 Asia Pacific Pvt Ltd, Satellite Silver, 5th Floor, Anderhi-Kurla Road, Marol Naka, Anderhi East, Mumbai 400059 T. +1 760 827 7800 E. indiainfo@whitedm.com
LINKS
PUSH OUR BUTTONS Check out our ‘Editorial Calendar’
View Now http://whitedm.com/Media Interested in our ‘Email Databank’ mailto:m.blakely@whitedm.com Find out More Part of ‘White Digital Media Group’
SIGN UP! 2
December 2010 www.businessreviewusa.com
Visit Website http://www.whitedm.com
THE USA TEAM Editorial
eric johnson editorial director > E-mail Me mailto:e.johnson@whitedm.com
Matt Johnson Group art director > E-mail Me
editor-in-chief nadia ibanez Associate Editors john t. connelly, laura clapper, laura canter, andrea marino, michaela mcnamara
Design
Creative Director SHERELLE PETERSON Art Editors CARRIE SOUTH, Michelle rial, Dustin Harris, jessica clegg
mailto:m.johnson@whitedm.com
Project Management
Kiron Chavda Group project director > E-mail Me
Group PROJECT Director Aaron Wells regional project directors NICK LEDUE jASON WRIGHT, MARCUS VANDENBRINK MARKETING manager CHAD RECCHIA
mailto:k.chavda@whitedm.com
Q F ancy talking about advertising or want us to report on your company’s success? A Give ME a call Dial +44 (0) 1603 217553
>D ownload Media Kit
http://www.businessreviewusa.com/MediaKit/BusinessReviewUSAMediaKit.pdf http://www.businessreviewusa.com/MediaKit/BusinessReviewUSAMediaKit.pdf
www.businessreviewusa.com December 2010
3
Leading the Pack in American Business
In this month’s cover story, we speak to experts in the Brand Management field about the best ways to create branding strategies to asses business needs and create campaigns to garner a larger audience to promote your company. Thinking of hiring an independent contractor next year? We speak to Executive Coach, Sharon Griggs, about her experience holding both positions of the independent contractor and employer relationship. Follow up with Amanda MacNaughton of PromoJam and her tips on attracting customers through social media and the tips that helped her business flourish. Additionally, we take a look back on this year’s top gadgets that improved the way you did business. Finally, read the great company reports from leaders in the manufacturing, energy, construction and other industries throughout the US.
Nadia Ibanez
QUOTE OF THE ISSUE “Clients are interested in looking at how corporate citizenship can become part of the over-arching theme of a brand…” Andrea Sullivan, Executive Director, Client Services of Global Branding Consultancy for Interbrand
READ MY BLOGS Visit http://www.businessreviewusa.com/news Website
Editor-in-Chief > n.ibanez@whitedm.com
www.businessreviewusa.com
http://www.facebook.com/ pages/Business-ReviewEurope/297707068750?ref=ts
http://www.linkedin.com/ company/846684
http://twitter.com/ bizrevieweurope
Click an icon to view or follow our social networks
OTHER usa BLOGGERS
Jeanne Connon Chief Marketing Officer for Daily Grommet Inc. > Read Blog
www.businessreviewusa.com
Robert Johnson Director of Product Marketing, Atrion Networking Corporation
Bob Wittstein Technology Officer, Harvard University
www.businessreviewusa.com
> Read Blog
Place image of the Managing Editor
Investing is an activity almost entirely dependant on Information. An investor’s success is determined by the quality of information available at hand!
THE ECONOMIC MONITOR E-MAGAZINES POWERFUL INVESTOR INTELLIGENCE TOOL
The Economic Monitor E-Magazines stem from our desire to deliver quality and reliable information in an intuitive and efficient format. The news and analysis is backed by the global journalist network of The International Business Times who currently offers exclusive reporting, data-gathering and analysis services in 14 countries. Experience the power of information with The Economic Monitor E-Magazines.
Subscribe today for a free two weeks trial at Business Review USA website: www.businessreviewusa.com/em/
6
September 2010 www.businessrevieweurope.eu
december
14
Business Travel
26 Business leaders
Technology
38 FEATURES 10 News The latest news and analysis from the past month 14 Business Travel Long Beach: Explore beyond the Convention Center 18 Social Media Daily Grommet uses Social Media for an Interactive Shopping... 20 Business Celebs Celebrities in Fitness: The Incredible Hulk Launches his own... 22 Innovation Have it? Use it! Tapping your Technology Resource for Growth 26 Business Leaders Is Integrating a Brand Management Strategy Right for you and... 32 Money Matters Why you need to hire an independent contractor 38 Technology Tablets, iPhones, 3D TV screens, oh my! 44 Marketing 2.0 Using Social Media to Grow Customer Base and Attract Clients 48 Events Up and coming events to add to your calendar
ASSOCIATION profiles 50 ASBA
62 Tea Association of the USA
54 NEMA
66 IBWA
58 MFSA
70 IATA www.businessreviewusa.com December 2010
7
december
Joe Funk Construction
182
Aerion Rentals
80
230
Farmer Brothers
Energy 74 City of Santa Fe Where Art, Science and Innovation Thrive 80 Aerion Rentals Brings New Business Practices to Oil & Gas Equipment Industry... 86 UniTech UniTech Cleans the World’s Radioactive Supply Chain 92 Tri-County Electric Rural Electric Cooperative with Stock in Major Investors
Supply Chain 98 Vanity Shops rendy Women’s Clothing with a Technological Swing 106 EL AL Israel Airlines One the three Worlds’ most efficient airline with the... 112 Nippon Cargo Airlines Nippon Cargo Airlines Flies High Above Air Frieght... 120 Shreveport Airport Authority Louisiana’s Premiere Airport Authority Region 126 Air France Cargo Flight Made Easy: Air France-KLM Cargo 8
December 2010 www.businessreviewusa.com
Construction 132 Metro Roof Products Providing Smart Roofing Solutions for Smart People 138 Total Facility Solutions Prepares for Global Expansion 148 City of Lewiston An All-America City 154 Newsouth Construction Values Employees Above All 160 Welch & Rushe Reaps Immediate Revenue Increase By Going Back To Basics 170 Polk Mechanical Polk Mechanical Company Supports A Building Lifecycle 176 Therrien Waddell Therrien Waddell Construction stays afloat during the... 182 Joe Funk Construction Engineers Nothing funky about it, Joe Funk...
Food & Drink 188 Better Made Snack Foods Using simple ingredients in high-quality snack foods.. 198 Twintec Twintec Specialty Concrete Flooring Paving the Way for Success 206 Treasure Valley Coffee Treasure Valley Coffee perks up its customers 212 Todd Construction Services Design/Build Construction with Todd... 218 RF Hunter R.F. Hunter Co. holds its reputation as the top portable oil filter... 224 Cameron’s Coffee Cameron’s Coffee Brewing and Distributing Quality Java... 230 Farmer Brothers Farmer Brothers Brews Coffee Expertise With Pride 238 Mrs. Grissom’s Salads After 55 Years, Grandma Grissom Is Still Serving...
Manufacturing 244 Cirris Systems Cirris Systems produces cable testers for today’s world 250 The Ad Art Efficient Service is Top Priority for The Ad Art Company 260 K-1 Packaging From Printing to Packaging 266 Franchise Services Printing Hot Quality off the Presses for 40 Years 276 Jenco Productions Jenco Productions Inc. offers one-stop services in the... 282 Mailing Services of Pittsburg Mailing Services of Pittsburg Delivers the... 288 Lithographix A Passionate Approach To High-End Image Production www.businessreviewusa.com December 2010
9
FOR THE LATEST usa NEWS Visit Website
Webroot keeps drunks off of social media sites Software company Webroot has just launched a new program that will inevitably save the shame and embarrassment of many latenight, beer-drinking, social media addicts across the nation. The Social Media Sobriety Test is a Firefox plugin that doesn’t let users post on their social media pages late at night without
first passing a sobriety “field test.” Users specify a time span when they don’t think they’d be on the Internet while sober – usually in the wee hours of the morning. Anytime the user tries to access the Internet during that timeframe, he or she would have to prove their sobriety using their mouse to pass a sobriety test.
Google sues Govt. for anti-competitive behavior Google has filed a suit against the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) for anti-competitive behavior. The Cupertino-based company says the department did not seriously consider Google Apps as its client for handling messaging needs. The central issue surrounds a requirement by the DOI stating that any messaging solution had to include integration with Microsoft’s Business Productivity Online Suite. In a 37-page document, Google discussed how it believes the DOI engaged in anti-competitive behavior. Google is requesting an injunction from the courts prohibiting the DOI from proceeding with the RFQ until it removes the Microsoft BPOS-Federal requirement. 10
Kinect launches, forecasts 5M units sold this quarter Microsoft Corp. has forecasted that the Kinect motion- and voice-controlled device for the Xbox gaming system will sell 5 million units this quarter and predicts this device will be the most successful Xbox product debut by sales. Microsoft
December 2010 www.businessreviewusa.com
is basing this prediction on pre-sales, retail orders and consumer interest. Kinect goes on sale November 4. Don Mattrick, President of Microsoft’s Interactive Entertainment Business says the compact expects to exceed a previous forecast of 3 million units. Microsoft and Sony C orp. who owns the Move controller, are butting against Nintendo’s Wii machine, the original innovator of motioncontrolled gaming.
usa
BUSINESS NEWS
Quantas could have benefitted from Cisco’s SocialMiner Cisco announced that its new software SocialMiner assists companies to find and proactively respond to customers and prospective leads who are communicating through public social media networks like Twitter and Facebook, or blogs. Forum posts, blogs and status updates from customers can all be managed in real time, alerting customers of conversations regarding their brand. The program not only monitors the
social web to improve business knowledge, but also engages customers that require assistance and service. This software program would have been per fect for Quantas’ mid-air engine failure on a Sydney-bound flight that caused quite the commotion in Twitterland.
iPhone Daylight Savings glitch hitting US?
NEWS IN BRIEF M&T Bank buys Wilmington Trust for less than book value M&T Bank Corp. will buy Wilmington Trust Corp., a oncestellar trust bank, announced this month. Wilmington Trust will sell itself for less than book value and for roughly half the price its shares.
Giants fans rioting in the streets before Election Day 2010 The World Series celebration trickled into the streets where citizens vandalized buildings, fought and started fires. The Internet and social media platforms acted as part of citizen journalism to show the world what was going on in the City by the Bay.
Zenyatta and Breeder’s Cup hits The Breeders’ Cup at Churchill
An iPhone glitch hit last month; alarm clocks were going off an hour early and people are starting to think the bug may be related to Daylight Savings Time. iPhone users down under have already been hit in Australia and New Zealand, as well as users across the pond in the UK who had the opposite effect. iPhone alarms were ringing an hour late making Brits late to work. The last Sunday in October ends U.K.’s summer time, but the iPhone alarm clock apparently didn’t get the memo. In the US, we don’t “fall back” until the first Sunday in November.
Downs is the season-ending championship of thoroughbred racing and has quickly become part of American culture. The Breeders’ Cup World Championships was and all eyes were on Zenyatta, the reigning queen.
Marine Corps marathon last month, heightened security The Marine Corps Marathon was held Sunday Oct. 31 at the Pentagon. The 26.2-mile run was established in 1976, and as of 2009, the MCM became the fourth largest marathon in the United States and the eighth largest in the world.
www.businessreviewusa.com December 2010
11
FOR THE LATEST usa NEWS Visit Website
NEWS IN BRIEF Google Places taking over as the new Yelp? Google’s version of Yelp, Google Place Search, has just been introduced and adds local search to the website’s growing database of places at more than 50 million locations. Place Search is built into the standard Google search navigation.
GM is $2B closer to paying off their $50B bailout General Motors is taking a $2.1 billion step toward repaying taxpayers for last year’s $50 billion bailout, by announcing it will repurchase preferred stock held by
Facebook credits now available at Wal-Mart and Best Buy, already at Target After announcing that Target will sell Facebook credits gift cards, Wal-Mart and Best Buy have also been added to the list of retailers offering Facebook fun at a price.
Todd Combs joins Warren Buffet at Berkshire Billionaire Warren E. Buffet, 80, announced that his company, Berkshire Hathaway, has hired Todd Combs, a young hedge fund manager to oversee a large part of its investment portfolio. Combs, 39, managed Castle Point Capital Management in Greenwich, Conn., before joining Berkshire Hathaway.
Paul the Octopus died in his German aquarium Paul the Octopus, who fascinated fans by correctly predicting results throughout this year’s World Cup, died. Paul perfectly picked eight World Cup picks before taking up retirement and then died at the aquarium in German city Oberhausen where he lived.
12
the Treasury Department. According to CNN Money, GM has already “repaid about $6.7 billion in loans. The plan to repurchase the preferred stock will leave Treasury’s 61% stake in the company’s common stock as the only part of the bailout yet to be repaid. Taxpayers will be able to start getting that money back when GM starts selling shares to the public once again this year.
Halliburton admits to skipping BP cement test
BP’s cementing contractor Halliburton has admitted that it skipped a crucial test on the final formulation of cement used to seal the faulty BP oil well. Halliburton says that BP increased the amount of a critical ingredient in the cement mix at the last minute and never performed a stability test on the new mixture. There’s much speculation that the cement’s failure to prevent oil and gas from entering the Deepwater Horizon well has been identified as one of the causes of the disaster, which killed 11 workers.
December 2010 www.businessreviewusa.com
usa
BUSINESS NEWS
Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert host mock political rally On the cusp of Conan O’Brien’s 24 hour streaming video to promote his newest move to TBS, satirical night-time giants Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert hosted the “Rally to Restore Sanity And/Or Fear,” a mock political rally on Oct. 30 on Washington D.C.’s National Mall. The rally was actually two rallies interconnected into one: Jon Stewart’s “The Rally to Restore Sanity,” and Stephen Colbert’s “The March to Keep Fear Alive”. The two rallies managed to mobilize their fans across the country in just one month. In roughly 30 days, the event has spawned a number of sites and mini web-campaigns.
Scott toilet paper discards their tube to reduce landfill waste American businesses are looking to cut costs, increase energy efficiency, and improve the environment all at the same time with their products and services. The same goes for Kimberly-Clark’s Scott toilet paper products, who have decided to cut down on consumer waste be eliminating the old cardboard tube that lines the interior of their toilet paper rolls. This may be the biggest change that the product has encountered in more than a century. According to an article on Treehugger. com, each year, a million miles worth of cardboard tubing from the toilet paper rolls are tossed out.
LimeWire loses battle with Recording Industry Assoc. of America The Gnutella-based filesharing program LimeWire has been permanently shut down after a federal judge found the site guilty of assisting users in committing copyright infringement on what the judge called, “a massive scale.” The shutdown is the final part of a case brought against LimeWire LLC by the
Recording Industry Asso ciation of America (RIAA) over four years ago, on behalf of eight major music publishers. The record labels argued that LimeWire may have caused billions of dollars in lost revenue through the P2P file sharing system and that the site is one of the largest threats to the music industry’s revenue.
www.businessreviewusa.com December 2010
13
Nadia Ibanez
Long Beach: Explore beyond the Convention Center While the Long Beach Convention Center is home to many annual tradeshows and events, the city boasts many offerings that you need to know about Gondola rides, waterfront dining, art deco, vintage shopping, tastes from all over the world and a very active and bike-friendly community. Who knew all of these options could be available to those traveling to the West coast for conventions and tradeshows. While many business executives and CEOs are familiar with the beachfront and urban community of Long Beach as the destination for national and international 14
December 2010 www.businessreviewusa.com
conventions, very few have the opportunity to stick around for awhile and explore what this city has to offer in terms of food, entertainment, history and excitement. While you plan next year’s event and tradeshow calendar and see the Long Beach Convention Center as one of your destinations, why not spend an extra few days taking in the sights, tasting the international culture and navigating your way through the downtown streets that are alive and booming.
Business Travel
The Queen Mary docked near Parker’s Lighthouse
QUEEN MARY
As a visitor to the city, you can’t really experience Long Beach without a tour of the Queen Mary. She first set sail in 1936 as a grand ocean liner, then was used to transport troops during the 1940s during the War years, and was purchased by the city of Long Beach in 1967, where she resides as a historic hotel and tourist destination. Today, the Queen Mary is known for her ghost stories and lavish Champagne Sunday
Brunch buffet in the Grand Salon, the ship’s original first-class dining room. The brunch offers food from around the world with more than 50 dishes. Sir Winston’s Restaurant and Lounge offers five-star dining with unparalleled views of the city skyline. Start off with the Lobster Ravioli stuffed with truffled cauliflower puree, move your way to the rich Lobster Bisque, before settling into the Grilled Shrimp stuffed with a warm lobster and crab salad served with vegetables and blood orange syrup. Leave room for dessert www.businessreviewusa.com December 2010
15
The Greek Kasseri dish at George’s Greek Café – the Grand Marnier Soufflé is to die for.
WATERFRONT ENTERTAINMENT
While many convention goers don’t necessarily live near the beach, there are several options for taking advantage of the waterfront entertainment. If you’re just visiting for a few days, look into renting a bike from the city and touring the Beach Path, a 5-mile path that lines the coast. Shoreline Village is a popular destination for waterfront entertainment and dining. Rent a boat or catamaran to tour the bay, take a sailing lesson, and stay for lunch or dinner for 16
December 2010 www.businessreviewusa.com
landscape views of the Pacific Ocean and the famed Queen Mary. Parkers’ Lighthouse is a personal favorite for a quick bite of Garlic Cheese Bread and Clam Chowder, or go all out and order the Wild Alaskan Trio – a plate of grilled halibut, silver salmon and king crab cake served with Yukon Gold mashed potatoes and asparagus topped with three sauces. If you’re SCUBA-certified, you definitely want to check out the Aquarium of the Pacific and their programs for swimming with their tropical fish. If you think the aquarium is spectacular from the outside, imagine how it is to swim with sharks and florescent fish.
Business Travel
INTERNATIONAL DINING
Pine Avenue aka “Restaurant Row” and The Pike are some of the best areas to spoil your culinary side. With more than 100 restaurants in downtown area alone, it’s easy to get lost in foodie heaven. George’s Greek Café is a personal favorite and home of one of my favorite places for Fried Calamari and the best version of my favorite meal: cheese and bread. Greek Kasseri cheese is battered and fried and flamed at the table with a little bit of Brandy and finished with Kalamata olives and fresh squeezed lemon and a side of pita bread. You have to try it for yourself. There are no words as
to how amazing this dish is. Feeling a little Spanish? Alegria Cocina Latina is the perfect place to get your Spanish fix while taking in – and possibly participating in – a Flamenco show. Sip on some sangria and nosh on my favorite appetizer, Gambas al Curry, golden brown polenta topped with shrimp in an Orange curry sauce. For dinner, order the Paella Valenciana, saffron rice sautéed in a cast-iron skillet full with seasoned beef, chicken, article imported sweet ham, fresh Click manila clams, mussels, fresh Here fish andhttp://www.businessreviewusa.com/news/avia-hotels/explore-beyond-long-beach-convention-center vegetables. www.businessreviewusa.com December 2010
17
Jeanne Connon
Daily Grommet uses Social Media for an Interactive Shopping Experience Jeanne Connon, Chief Marketing Officer for Daily Grommet explains how they’re taking back the retail experience with “Citizen Commerce” Daily Grommet is on a pretty unique mission by enabling “Citizen Commerce,” where regular people form the commerce experience by suggesting, supporting and buying products that are meaningful to them. By telling the deeper story behind each business and product we feature, we’re giving people the information they need to make more informed and meaningful purchases – to vote with their dollars and take back the retail shelves. If they want to support green enterprises, new technologies, preserve craft or communities, now they can! Beyond showing support through their purchases, they can help a business gain 18
December 2010 www.businessreviewusa.com
recognition by submitting it as a Grommet. You’ll see that we always acknowledge our “finders” as well as our “founders” and many of our best finds come from our community. And that’s where social media is supercharging what we do. The difference between Daily Grommet and any other e-commerce site is that our entire business was built around social media – and really only exists because of it. We’re harnessing the natural word-of-mouthpower that happens around any new product discovery and we formalize it to reinvent marketing. We promote transparency so that everyday people can: -get to know the product
social media
creator, the process, see where products/ideas originate -experience it all for themselves in our video and through our daily written stories -speak directly to the creators/producers (they’re required and can’t wait to participate in a live, onsite conversation/Q&A the day we launch their Grommet feature) Then, our content “flies” across the Internet. All day long, we’re actively out there on Facebook and Twitter, generating conversation and building community around the day’s Grommet (while keeping an eye out to continue the conversations we started around past Grommets - we’ve launched more than 500).
We have over 11,000 Facebook “Likers” and nearly 6,000 Twitter followers! Each new Grommet also invites their own community to drop by and get to know Daily Grommet and see their feature/review on our website. Our content is then picked up by partners like Yahoo Shine and Divine Caroline, where the conversations and exposure for each Grommet grows exponentially. At the heart of what we’re doing is storytelling – creating READ MY and telling compelling stories BLOGS people can’t wait to share. Visit Social media is the vehicle Website that let’s that happen.
http://www.dailygrommet.com/ www.businessreviewusa.com December 2010
19
Nadia Ibanez
Celebrities in Fitness: The Incredible Hulk Launches his own Fitness Program and TV Show The iconic Lou Ferrigno and his family are currently working on debuting a new reality show infused with personal fitness
Growing up in the late 80s, I was never too keen on the Incredible Hulk. I always just knew his as that terrible green man that destroyed everything in his path. Today, Lou Ferrigno, while still adored by many men and fitness enthusiasts, is working on a reality television show with his family to promote health and wellness with their signature Ferrigno FIT program. Ferrigno has always been a figure of strength and power and has continued to live his daily life while being in the best shape possible. He 20
November 2010 www.businessreviewusa.com
was approached by Los Angeles-based brand management firm, B360 Studios, and began leveraging the Ferrigno name to create a program for normal individuals to live a healthy lifestyle like he and his family. Lou, 58, his wife, Carla, daughter Shanna, and sons Louie and Brent, are all certified personal trainers. “During the height of Lou’s fame, his children didn’t follow the healthy lifestyle that led Lou to his fame,” Ray Doustar, Partner of B360 Studios says. “Their kids actually rebelled against it, causing
Business celebrities
them to be overweight during their childhood. There was a turning point in the kids’ lives and they chose to follow their parents’ regimen to get into shape. And they did, within a three to six-month period.” This fitness plan inspired the Ferrigno’s to share the plan with others. There’s a simple methodology behind Ferrigno FIT, and if followed, any individual could get into the best shape. “It’s their family secret to get into shape,” says Doustar. “After spending time with this unbelievably lively family, I wanted to create a reality
television show that is the craziness of ‘Keeping up with the Kardashians’ with the determination and strength of ‘The Biggest Loser.’ This transformation show will help other families get fit.” Doustar and his team at B360 Studios is currently working on locking down a network by the end of the year that can do justice to the actual story behind READ MY BLOGS the Ferrigno FIT program and Visit how an ordinary family can get Website involved and get into shape. www.businessreviewusa.com November 2010
21
Bob Wittstein
Robert Johnson
Have it? Use it! Tapping your Technology Resource for Growth Imagine you’re a roofing contractor with several committed and potential roofing jobs to complete in the next several months. If you want to handle more jobs and grow your business faster than your competition, you must invest in at least one pneumatic nail gun. As a CEO, divisional president or other senior executive, what’s the technology equivalent of the “pneumatic nail gun” for your business? For Amazon, it is clearly their e-commerce website. Perhaps for you, it is your customer relationship management (CRM) or ERP system. Certainly, your “pneumatic nail gun” is critical to growing revenue, managing 22
December 2010 www.businessreviewusa.com
working capital and reducing expenses in your business. Are you and your CIO actively seeking other ways technology can accelerate growth? If not, why not? If you are like most executives, you’ve cut your IT budgets to lower operating expenses; but, was that the right thing to do? According to Dr. Howard Rubin, president and CEO of Rubin Worldwide, a Gartner Senior Advisor and a noted technology expert, each $1 of new investment in IT between 2003 and 2005 helped drive $1.47 of gross profit in 2006. With such a multiplier effect, why not look for other ways IT can help your business grow and
innovation
prosper faster than your competition? Technology has entered every aspect of our lives and there is no going back. No longer is the data center the heart of technology within an organization; but rather, just a component of the overall landscape. Think about the Blackberry you depend on to stay in touch. What would you do without it? You would probably be much less effective (e.g. making decisions more slowly, having fewer touch points with clients and key constituents, etc.). We all depend on technology to be more productive. So again, how else can technology accelerate your business?
We live in a connected world in and out of the office. Ignoring the confluence of social networking, web 2.0, and mobile technology is paramount to going back and living in caves! How are you using these technologies to strengthen customer relationships and increase wallet share? We believe that ignoring the value of intelligent, targeted and clever technology deployments will put you behind your competition and frustrate your investors. You may be saying, “Hey, I can be as formidable as Apple, Amazon or Google; but I produce, market and sell products that are www.businessreviewusa.com December 2010
23
increasingly being commoditized by overseas competitors. How can I use technology to improve revenue, reduce working capital and cut expenses?� A fair question. Let us share an example from Sappi Fine Paper, North America (SFPNA), a multinational manufacturing company in the forest products industry pulling in $1.3 B dollars in revenue. SFPNA faces strong commoditization pressure from international imports. Starting up front with marketing, SFPNA examined their messaging and realized that their website spoke to investors and not to customers. Sales personnel lacked visibility into factors that eroded margin, and customers were forced to order products over the phone, or through EDI or fax. So the Marketing, Sales, Supply Chain, and IT departments partnered on several technology projects. The website changed to educate customers about product attributes and usage, to assist in finding local distributors and to provide real time order status. Mobile tools delivered to the sales force provided order margin. In addition, an entirely new ecommerce strategy enabled a quantum process improvement in the order-topay cycle. SFPNA distinguished itself as the easiest amongst its competition for customers to do business with, and consequently lowered customer service costs and increased customer loyalty! SFPNA used technology to analyze total procurement costs across the entire organization. They found multiple contracts at different price points with the same supplier and higher than market spending on several commodities. Armed with this research, SFPNA renegotiated better payment terms and executed commodity procurement strategies. This action reduced costs by $100 M. Here are two final points. First, we have not mentioned “worker productivity 24
December 2010 www.businessreviewusa.com
innovation improvements” since it is difficult to measure and budget. We believe worker productivity will improve as a natural consequence of new integrated technologies; however, it is not central to your technology investment business case. Second, none of the benefits discussed can happen without a high degree of trust and partnership between business savvy IT professionals and technology open-minded business folks. It is time to fuse IT with your business by partnering with your technology folks and find other “pneumatic nail gun” technology equivalents for your business to accelerate growth. If not, don’t be surprised if your company’s roof starts leaking.
About the authors:
Bob Wittstein is the Technology Officer for the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) at Harvard University where he is responsible for overall leadership of Information Technology and its alignment back to the teaching and research mission of the FAS. Bob has over 28 years of manufacturing and distribution experience in senior business and technology roles at Sikorsky Aircraft, Owens Corning, Warnaco, Cyrk and Sappi Fine Paper North America. Bob can be reached at bob@wittstein.com. Robert Johnson is Director of Product Marketing at Atrion Networking Corporation where he’s responsible for market analysis, developing new products and co-leading the company’s managed services business line. Robert is a veteran of the IT industry having held executive strategy and marketing positions with CGI READ MY Inc., Deloitte Consulting and BLOGS Digital Equipment Corp. Visit Website Robert can be reached at rjohnson@atrion.net. www.businessreviewusa.com December 2010
25
business leaders
We speak to experts behind brand management companies Interbrand and B360 Studios for their expertise on building and maintaining a brand Written by Nadia Ibanez We’ve heard it all before: It’s important to maintain your brand. But when business executives of every-sized companies find that they have less and less time to maintain their brand’s image and reputation, a thirdparty brand management team will come in, understand the philosophy behind a company, and act as a chief marketing officer to preserve the appearance and operations of a product or service. The forces behind globally-based Interbrand and Los Angeles-based B360 Studios offer their expertise in the proper way to manage brands without losing that personal touch.
CREATING AND MANAGING GLOBAL BRANDS
“CEOs are looking for the financial value when it comes to branding,” Andrea Sullivan Executive Director, Client Services of Global Branding Consultancy Interbrand says. “Companies have much more responsibility to maintain their brands are a result of social media. Customers, consumers, and those new to a brand all have an opportunity to comment or participate in the branding of a business and its performance to maintain reputations.” www.businessreviewusa.com December 2010
27
“The interesting thing about today is that the questions being asked by executives when it comes to brand management are quite different from the past years,” Sullivan says. “The economy is changing, there’s more advisory than before, and companies are defining what business opportunities or challenges are out there and how branding can solve those issues.” Sullivan believes there are three ways to define a great brand: the brand drives demand, commands premium products, and engenders loyalty from clients and/or employees. “There’s a constant struggle with how brands work to attain those three elements and how to convert a brand strategy into something meaningful for customers,” she says. “Clients are interested in looking at how corporate citizenship can become part of the overarching theme of a brand and how the company can take on a role as a citizen of the world to make sure what they’re doing is making a positive difference with their branding strategy,” Sullivan says. Interbrand’s past projects include working with Microsoft to launch Bing and Xbox 360’s Kinect gaming console, Wii, Mini Cooper, McDonald’s, AT&T, and Susan G Komen.
INTEGRATING BRANDING WITH SOCIAL MEDIA
Ray Doustar is one of the partner’s behind Los Angeles-based B360 Studio, a brand management agency specializing in brand development and positioning, licensing, mobile solutions, and Web 2.0 technologies. Doustar approaches those looking for brand management services by taking up the role of a Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) for that company. “Branding is a hot buzzword these days; everyone wants to be a brand,” Doustar says. “Our company is about taking on a client that we’re passionate about and putting ourselves into the CMO role.” Depending on a company’s budget for brand management services, Doustar still believes that more traditional advertising, such 28
December 2010 www.businessreviewusa.com
Clockwise from top: Andrea Sullivan, Interbrand; Ray Doustar, B360 Studios; group buying site, Groupon
business leaders
www.businessreviewusa.com December 2010
29
<6>C 688:HH ID B6G@:I A:69>C< G:H:6G8= >C NDJG >C9JHIGN#
Make. Market. Sell. [ www.research-store.com/foodanddrinkdigital ]
business leaders
as commercials, magazine ads, radio spots, and outdoor billboards are the easiest way to reach larger audiences, although pricey. “Additionally, we use social media and the Internet to increase a client’s presence on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, `Google ads and other sites and blend it with more traditional advertising to grow effectiveness even more,” he says. “Mobile solutions are also getting big right now and another one of our key areas of focus are strategic licensing. Instead of finding a company to manufacture your product, you find a partner to license out your offering and let them do the heavy lifting while the company works on managing their brand and process.” For instance, B360 Studios is currently managing Los Angeles-based fbe (Firm Body Evolution) Spa, a high-end holistic fitness center and spa. “By leveraging new ways to market the business, we’ve used group buying sites like Living Social and Groupon to offer deep discounts for membership and also had segments on TV shows like ‘Access Hollywood’ and ‘The Doctors’ to share information about fbe to other interested individuals. This is a perfect example of how we work with businesses to leverage web 2.0 to spread awareness of the product and services.” When meeting with a new prospective client seeking branding strategies, Doustar asks what their current business plan and demographic is and what they’re trying to accomplish with branding. Next, the firm performs a thorough analysis of
“ The economy is changing, there’s more advisory than before, and companies are defining what business opportunities or challenges are out there and how branding can solve those issues.” Andrea Sullivan Executive Director, Client Services of Global Branding Consultancy Interbrand previous business plans, strategies and business operations for a clear understanding about what worked in the past and what did not. Doustar then uses what was successful and puts a plan into place to enhance on prior victories. Lastly, a new plan is put more articles into place to build the business Visit and attract new customers with Website new business ventures. > www.interbrand.com > www.b360studios.com
www.businessreviewusa.com December 2010
31
Wh
In
Co
money matters
hy you need to hire an
ndependent
ontractor
Experts reveal the important considerations to review when employing independent contractors Written by Nadia Ibanez
The current economic climate has caused all of America to make a shift in their work behaviors. Those who have been hit by the wrath have taken on different shifts, taken a different career path in a recession-proof industry, scaled back on their hours worked, and even taken on temporary and full-time contract work to get by. As an employer or employee, there are a few vital things one should know when entering into and managing a contractor position within any industry. Sharon Griggs is currently an independent contractor Executive Coach who also has experience hiring on a staff of contractors when she worked for AirTouch/Verizon.
Working With Airtouch/Verizon
Sharon Griggs worked at AirTouch/Verizon www.businessreviewusa.com December 2010
33
money matters Independent Contractor Classifications Scott Callen, senior counsel in Foley & Lardner’s Labor & Employment Practice, provides a basic primer on independent contractor classification: > Unlike most employment relationships, independent contractors are not typically hired to continuously perform services for an indefinite period of time. > Independent contractors have sig nificant freedom or “control” to determine what materials and equipment are used during the project as well as the methods and techniques used to achieve the final work product. > Independent contractors usually supply their own materials, pay for many, if not all, of their own expenses, and are not typically trained by the company. > Independent contractors have freedom to work for other customers or employers during and after the project. Alternatively, employees usually work for one employer and may have restrictions on their employment opportunities with other companies during and after the employment relationship. > Independent contractors usually have a formal, written agreement in place describing the independent contractor relationship, setting a price/fee for the final product and the terms of the project. Alternatively, employees oftentimes are employed “at will” and are governed by company policies and procedures setting forth the terms and conditions of employment.
Wireless from 1984-2001 in which she held two titles: Director of International Marketing/Business Development/Strategic Planning and General Manager for Paging Operations. She worked to win licenses from across the globe for wireless telecommunications right as the competition started booming. In order to support her marketing team, she hired local independent contractors and consultants for their expertise in the country and to complement the expertise of those already in her team. “We needed their local expertise and extra assistance when our staff became shorthanded,” Griggs says. “Our team all had MBA’s from schools like Harvard and Wharton but we needed consultants who could bring more to the table, especially in the Asian market.” “We usually went to big consulting firms to see who they had and who could join us for a few weeks or months, based on the assignment,” she says. “We always looked for someone with comparable values of our existing staff and someone who shared our mission vision and values before bringing them on board.”
Advice to Those Doing the Hiring
Griggs also offers her own advice to executives looking to hire an independent contractor for their company. “When you create a contract, make
“ We always looked for someone with comparable values of our existing staff and someone who shared our mission vision” Sharon Griggs
www.businessreviewusa.com December 2010
35
Most shipping companies see you as a seven-digit number. Not Unishippers. To us you're an individual with individual shipping needs that require customized attention. We work with over 30 carriers to create a customized program for your shipping needs while saving you time and money. We have done this for over 75,000 customers. Learn how we can do the same for you by visiting our website or call us for more information. For a free USave Shipping Assessment call
s &AX s WWW UNISHIPPERS COM OVERNIGHT EXPRESS s GROUND s INTERNATIONAL EXPRESS s LTL s FULL TRUCKLOAD s AIR FREIGHT s OCEAN FREIGHT s INTERNATIONAL MAIL
money matters sure you have an escape clause for yourself, include milestones for what they should achieve, and agree upon how and how frequently you’ll be communicating during the engagement.” She also says that as an executive managing the contractor relationship, you must clearly describe the deliverables and make your expectations very clear. “When you hire a contractor on to conduct a certain analysis, make sure that you explain your needs and that you want to know specifics like the organizational structure, revenues, market shares, and others,” she says. And for contractors, they should also ask for a clear understanding of the deliverables and how their time is going to be accounted for – what is billable and what is not. “For instance, you should ask: ‘Is my travel time billable at the same rate as my core services?’ Have an agreement at the beginning of the relationships so you can ensure success for both sides,” Griggs says. As far as taking into account the company’s bottom line: “You never just want to look at the raw cost of hiring an independent contractor,” she says. “When you hire the right one, the financial impact may be much larger, but also well worth it. In the long run, it could end up saving money and you’ll receive a tremendous return on investment when hiring on an expensive contractor.”
Coming Full Circle
relationship, she highly recommends businesses take advantage of the benefits of hiring on temporary positions in the form of contractors. “For example, if a company knows they need to bring on a person to keep the CFO position, sometimes business owners don’t really understand what that position entails,” Griggs says. “Business owners shouldn’t hesitate to hire an independent contractor to sit temporarily in that position, because ultimately they’ll come to find out what is required out of that person and what responsibilities are needed. Feel free to put a guinea pig in there to use them and further define the needs of your business and that position.” “The more you can give that person a scope of the big picture without breaking confidentialities, the better they’ll work for out for you and your company,” more she says. “Look for those conarticles tractors with subject-matter Visit expertise, a contractor with a Website narrow niche.
Today, Griggs is an Executive Coach for many different companies around the world. She helps organization solve business problems and how to achieve their necessary results by developing the individual’s competencies. Since Griggs has experienced both sides For more information about Sharon Griggs, visit of the independent contractor and employer www.delmarcenter.com www.businessreviewusa.com December 2010
37
oh MY
Tablets, iPhone
A review of the top gad that improved the way y Written by N
h Y
es, 3D TV screens
dgets and technologies you did business in 2010 Nadia Ibanez
technology
technology
Apple
Doing busin introduction advanced c viewing pho gadgets to g
Apple’
The much ant under the Ap advances like camera, the video record already built
Apple 2010 was a great year for advances in technology. Smartphones got smarter by making it easier for executives to maintain their brand and companies while they were out of the office, television screen are clearer and offer 3D technology, Apple released a pretty fantastic line-up of products for business and leisure, and tablets are the new “it” toy topping everyone’s gift lists. Here is a look at 2010 top gadgets that improved how we did business in 2010. 40 December 2010 www.businessreviewusa.com
The MacBoo line-up of ga ultra-compa access, mul capabilities,
phones, have into American strategies, w scanning is u ers. QR code signage, ad tags, among
Andro Opera
The Android popular this y the HTC, Sa Ericson, and
iPad
Geo-location Platforms
ness just got a whole lot more beautiful with the n of the iPad and its large multi-touch screen and capabilities. From reading online magazines, to otos and videos, the iPad was one of the most fun get our hands on.
Geo-location sites like Foursquare, Gowalla and Facebook Places offer people the ability to share their current locations, via smartphone, with their friends and followers on Twitter and Facebook. Businesses h ave a l s o t a ke n a d v a n t a g e o f these sites to offer discounts and specials to new customers.
’s iPhone4
nticipated iPhone 4 was another success pple name and brought technological e FaceTime’s video calling, front-facing highest-resolution Retina display, HD ding and editing, and other standards t-into the amazingly smart phone.
Mac Book Air
ok Air was a later addition to this year’s adgets and offers all-flash storage for act aesthetics and quick and easy-on lti-touch trackpad, FaceTime camera , and outstanding graphics.
QR Codes
QR codes, a twodimensional code read by mobile e recently been integrated an business and marketing where mobile bar code used to engage consumes are also used in street dvertisements, clothing g others.
oid Mobile ating System
d Mobile OS became extremely year among smartphones under amsung, LG, Motorola, Sony d others.
Droid Smartphones HTC Droid Incredible and Motorola Droid X were among the many smartphones offering the Android OS. These phones offered great resolution, access to the Android Market, and instant sharing among integrated platforms.
Smartphone
Apps
Smar tphone apps made it incredibly easy to continue business dealings outside of the office walls. Some of our favorite apps include the iTerminal, GeoOp, Documents To Go, and mShare. www.businessreviewusa.com December 2010
41
technology
E-readers The Amazon Kindle paved the way in the e-reader trend for portable book reading, and now competitors like the Barnes and Noble Nook, Sony PRS, Kobo E-Reader and Samsung’s Galaxy have vied to compare against the rest.
3D TVs This year’s Blockbuster film “Avatar” definitely set the benchmark when it came to America’s yearning for 3D television sets. Among the most popular: Panasonic’s Viera, Sony’s Bravia, and Vizio all offer 3D technologies in their latest products. I wonder how long it will take for us to get the long awaited “smell-o-vision” capabilities that we’ve been dreaming of since childhood.
Flip SlideHD Camcorder The Flip SlideHD was one of this year’s most popular shoot-and-show video cameras and
offers up to four hours of HD video shooting capabilities. The device also comes equipped with a built-in USB arm for easy sharing and transferring to PCs and Macs and flips open for organizing and editing of your custom movies.
RIM BlackBerry Presenter The RIM BlackBerry Presenter is a mini projector with fantastic display performance in a compact device. The 3.4”x2.4” box is attached to a projector or monitor and is used with Bluetooth connectivity to display powerpoint displays and slides straight from your phone.
Light Touch Light Touch by Light Blue Optics is an interactive projector that makes any flat surface into a touch screen instantly. The device has Holographic Laser Projection technology and integrated infrared sensors detect motion and turn the projected image into a virtual touch screen, allowing the user to control the projector and interact with applications by touching the image. Light Touch is supplied to B2B customers in markets including consumer electronics, automotive, food and beverage, hospitality, retail, medical and gaming. It’s pretty amazing how many great technological advances came out of 2010 and we can only imagine what sorts of innovations will come out of 2011. Robots, iPad and iPhone killers, s me ll- o -visi on? ! more We can’t wait to articles see what’s next Visit for the tech Website world.
For feedback and comments please get in touch. > feedback@whitedm.com
www.businessreviewusa.com December 2010
43
marketing 2.0
Using
Social Media to Grow Customer Base and Attract Clients Amanda MacNaughton, Co-founder of Culture Jam, offers her expertise in utilizing multiple social media platforms to attract targeted customers and clients
Social media not only provides businesses - Offer special coupons and discount promoan incredibly powerful channel of direct communica- codes that are exclusively available to your social tion to their customers, but it also provides media fans and followers. This will encourcompanies with the ability to easily market age people to "follow" and "like" your valuable content and merchandise business on social media so that they offerings. Here are some great tips can get special deals â&#x20AC;&#x201C; increasing on how your business can use social your ability to re-market to them and media to generate revenue towards convert more sales. your bottom line: - Run a social media scavenger - Announce sales or new prodhunt via one (i.e. Foursquare) or multiuct launches for your business on ple platforms (i.e. Foursquare, Twitter, Amanda your Twitter account and Facebook Facebook) that lead customers into MacNaughton, page and link people directly to your your store. Co-Founder of Culture Jam e-commerce store. - Run contests so that you can 44 December 2010 www.businessreviewusa.com
a get more followers, collect email addresses, and market business offerings to customers. - Reward customers with a discount for making a positive social media post about your business. - Use PromoJam to build, launch and track social media promotions with ease. With PromoJam you can easily run multiple types of social media promotions that can help you drive revenue for your business via social media such as: Coupon or PromoCode giveaways, contests, redirect promotions (sending traffic directly to a point of purchase), flash sales and more.
Grow Customer Base and Attract New Clients:
Social media is no longer just a place for consumers to connect with friends, it has become a rich environment for businesses to communicate with customers, develop relationships, grow their customer base and attract new clients. Here are some great tips on ways to maximize your social media efforts and outreach for your business: - Growing your customer base online is directly related to how interesting you are. You won't attract social media friends or followers by constantly saying the same thing, only posting about yourself, not engaging in conversations, or by being inactive www.businessreviewusa.com December 2010
45
marketing 2.0
on your social media profiles. You need to dive in and start connecting with people. Create reasons why they should pay attention to you. Produce interesting content, link to other people's blog posts, retweet interesting tweets, respond to comments, and start creating your brand image online by utilizing social media to showcase your business' interests, passion points, and more. A great way to grow your customer base is by becoming interesting. If you are interesting, people will pay attention to you and you will increase your customer base. Case in point: the viral marketing Old Spice YouTube campaign that swept the nation and suddenly got millions of people talking about and engaging with the Old Spice brand. Not only did this grow their customer base, but it also generated thousands of dollars in sales for the brand. - A great way to attract new clients is to use social media to showcase your current and past business successes. If you are a marketing company or a fashion store, you can use social media to publicize the campaigns you are working on, the clients you represent, or the brands you carry. People are always attracted to businesses who have a great roster of clients or stores who carry the designers they like. Utilize social media to promote the work you currently do and this will help you capture the attention of potential customers and clients. Get the word out and you will start attracting new clients
and customers that are looking for the exact things that you are offering. You can use Twitter's great hash tag (#) system to attract people who are searching for something that you are posting about. For instance: If you represent Donna Karen, add a #DonnaKaren to your tweet about her and then people who are searching #DonnaKaren will have a better chance of finding you! To attract new clients via social media, target your posts and activity so that people who might be interested in what you do can find you via social platforms, search queries, search engines and more! Amanda MacNaughton is the Co-founder of Culture Jam and their social marketing platform, PromoJam. Culture Jam is an innovative social media technology company specializing in engineering creative solutions for digital content marketing and distribution. more Culture Jam synthesizes curiosity, articles creativity, and content into web Visit applications built for modern Website online audiences.
For feedback and comments please get in touch. > feedback@whitedm.com
www.culturejam.com www. promojam.com www.businessreviewusa.com December 2010
47
december http://www.idtechex.com/printed-electronics-usa-10/pe.asp
http://www.theshowbizexpo.com/ sun
5
thu
2
Printed Electronics USA
Showbiz Expo
Los Angeles Convention Center, Los Angeles, CA ShowBiz Expo is the largest tradeshow and conference for the entertainment industry. ShowBiz Expo is a 5-Star event that brings together everyone who works in film, video, TV, theatre, fashion and live events. Attendees meet with leading companies who provide products and services to the ShowBiz industry, network with their peers and attend workshops, seminars and film screenings.
Santa Clara, CA Printed Electronics is one of the fastest growing technologies in the world and is vital to industries, such as chemicals, consumer goods, healthcare, military, electronics, advertising and publishing. This is the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest event on the topic covering end-user needs, technical progress and new products > Visit Website using flexible and printed electronics. > Visit Website
http://athleticbusinessconference.com/
Athletic Business Conference & Expo
mon
6
Social Fresh Cruise posted
San Diego Convention Center, San Diego, CA The Athletic Business Conference & Expo is a premier educational event and tradeshow for athletic, fitness and recreation professionals. Attendees benefit from the educational and networking opportunities available at ABC. Attendees will meet industry experts and manufacturers who have successful track records and road maps for a bright future.
Departing from New Orleans, LA on Carnival Cruise Line Social Media and Cruising, the most social form of vacationing. Imagine joining 100 of the top leaders in social media on a 4-day cruise vacation with fresh social media content being driven by Jason Keath, Ted Murphy, Lucretia Pruitt, Rich Tucker, and others. The value of strengthening key relationship, generating ideas, and creating future partnerships in the ultimate social environment is evident.
> Visit Website
> Visit Website
sat
4
48
December 2010 www.businessreviewusa.com
usa
gatherings for insight into the market. > Visit Website
http://www.luxurytravelexpo.com/
tue
7
Luxury Travel Expo
tue
14
Power-Gen International
Orange County Convention Center, West Halls, Orlando, FL POWER-GEN International is the industry leader in providing comprehensive coverage of trends, technologies and issues facing the generation sector. More than 1,200 companies from all sectors of the industry exhibit each year and more than 18,000 attendees come together at POWER-GEN International for a horizontal look at the industry with key emphasis on new solutions and innovations for the future.
Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, Las Vegas, nv Comprised of more than 25 sessions, the dynamic program covers the marketplaceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hottest trends and developments to help luxury travel advisors grow their business and best service their discerning clientele. Earn Travel Institute CEUs and CLIA points during accreditation workshops and attend 30 education > Visit Website
http://www.power-gen.com/index.html
www.businessreviewusa.com December 2010
49
Multisport Facility
American Sports Builders Association ASBA
American sports builders
association
Written by Mary Helen Sprecher
Times were, tracks were made of cinders or shale. Ball fields were vacant lots. And tennis courts? Paved areas in parks and schoolyards, often combined with basketball nets and crisscrossed with hopscotch lines. Unless they were made for professional competition (translation: the Olympics, Major League Baseball, the U.S. Open, etc.), many early sports facilities weren’t often built to any standard. And so it might have continued, had it not been for a group of sports facility contractors who wanted to make the industry -- and the products it built -- better. It was 1964 when the group decided there should be an organization to promulgate standards for sports facilities. They formally organized as the U.S. Tennis Court & Track Builders Association (USTC &TBA), and established construction guidelines for those two sports. Within several years, their specifications were regarded as the industry standards. The quality of facilities improved. “The more people realized that a good facility allowed athletes to perform better, the more the demand increased,” says Sam Fisher, current chairman of the association. “These
Mary Helen Sprecher Technical Writer, ASBA mailto: mhsprecher@ > E-mail Me verizon.net
days, we see high schools with track and field facilities that years ago, colleges would have died to have.” The USTC &TBA expanded, offering meetings, a membership directory and an annual awards program. It developed guidelines for sports fields as well as for indoor facilities, including field houses, gymnasiums and more. “We keep working to educate people,” says Mark Brogan, president of the association’s Tennis Division. “Our members do all kinds of construction, and they keep diversifying and expanding what they do.” In 2004, the USTC&TBA changed its name to the American Sports Builders Association (ASBA), to reflect the broad scope of work performed by its members. Today, the ASBA has member companies in categories including Builder, Supplier and Professionals (architects, engineers, design professionals, etc.)
Promotion of excellence through builder certification
One of ASBA’s goals is excellence in construction. The association sponsors a voluntary certification program , allowing tennis www.businessreviewusa.com December 2010
51
Sports Track
court, track and field builders to demonstrate their competency. The designations of Certified Tennis Court Builder (CTCB), Certified Track Builder (CTB) and Certified Field Builder (CFB) are available to those who have documented evidence of experience, and who can pass an examination on construction and maintenance of that particular facility. While certification is a voluntary process, there is an increasing awareness of the program within the marketplace, and more bid documents are mandating that the chosen company have a Certified Builder on staff. (In 2008, the Association scored a major legal victory, when in a decision by the Attorney General of Massachusetts, the AG upheld the right of a school district to require that the bidder for a track project employ an ASBA Certified Track Builder). “If you look at the quality of construction, you see that ASBA’s certification has done a tremendous job of pulling up the level of 52
December 2010 www.businessreviewusa.com
construction expertise by the bootstraps,” says Fisher. “You also see that these days, facilities are safer for athletes than ever before.”
Information and resources to benefit the industry
The Association holds two regular meetings. Its leadership also meets with governing bodies including NCAA, IAAF, USTA and more, reviewing rules and suggesting changes to reflect current technology and best practices. ASBA ‘s publications regarded as the industry standard include the Construction and Maintenance Manual series, with different volumes on tennis, tracks, fields and indoor sports surfaces. “Something that I think the association has really helped change,” says Fisher, “is that you no longer hear people say, ‘Oh, I don’t have a multi-million-dollar benefactor; I can’t have a good facility.’ They now know it doesn’t cost more to build it right the first time. And that’s
American Sports Builders Association ASBA
TRX Long Jump
ASBA’s motto: Build it right. It helps people understand who we are and what we do.” More than 45 years after its development, the ASBA’s work has helped to standardize an industry, and to encourage excellence. Sports facilities are built better, and new technologies are constantly developed to help athletes perform better. And with childhood obesity on the rise, schools, coaches, rec directors are more are recognizing that the best (and only) way to spark interest in sports is to provide an environment that is conducive to enjoyment and performance.
Read more association profiles > Visit Website For feedback and comments please get in touch.
Statistics Type: Construction trade association (not-for-profit) Location: Ellicott City, Maryland Founded: 1965 Executive Director: Fred Stringfellow, CAE Key people: Cynthia Jordan, Laura Izzo, Amy Chetelat, CAE Currency: USD No. of listings: Approximately 400 www.ustctba.org
> feedback@whitedm.com
www.businessreviewusa.com December 2010
53
National Electrical Manufacturers NEMA
National
Electrical
manufacturers association
Written by Evan Gaddis, President of NEMA NEMA is the association of choice for the electrical and medical imaging equipment manufacturers. Since its inception in 1926, NEMA has been at the forefront of the electrical manufacturing industry, representing some of the most powerful companies in the United States. When one member’s voice isn’t enough, NEMA members turn to the association to make things happen for the industry as a whole. Our reputation commands respect on Capitol Hill; when we talk, policymakers listen. When a member needs to know the economic outlook of the industry, it looks no further. When an electrical standard needs to be developed, our members know who to call. NEMA’s vision is simple: to continue to act as the leader in the electrical and medical imaging industry for the next 80 years and beyond. NEMA’s role is critical to the advancement of emerging technologies, standardization, and public policy for the electrical and medical imaging industry. Created by the merger of the Electric Power Club and the Associated Manufacturers of Electrical Supplies, NEMA provides a forum for the standardization of electrical equipment, enabling consumers
Evan gaddis, president
mail to: evan.
>gaddis@nema. E-mail Me org
to select from a range of safe, effective, and compatible electrical products. The organization has also made numerous contributions to the electrical industry by shaping public policy development and operating as a central confidential agency for gathering, compiling, and analyzing market statistics and economics data. Headquartered near Washington, D.C., its approximately 450 member companies manufacture products used in the generation, transmission and distribution, control, and enduse of electricity. These products are used in utility, medical imaging, industrial, commercial, institutional, and residential applications. Domestic production of electrical products sold worldwide exceeds $120 billion. In addition to its headquarters in Rosslyn, Virginia, NEMA also has offices in Beijing and Mexico City. While many associations endured net membership losses during the economic downturn, NEMA was able to offset losses with equal gains, and is achieving positive membership growth in 2010. Board-directed strategic initiatives for Smart Grid and related activities in energy www.businessreviewusa.com December 2010
55
efficiency, high performance buildings, and energy storage allowed NEMA to gain industry leadership positions, helping set strategic direction for development of these important programs. Later, demonstrating our industryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s agility, NEMA wrote and published the first official Smart Grid standard in less than ninety days. NEMA members are leading the way in Smart Grid technologies by encouraging investment in the national electricity grid and developing new product standards. NEMA was named in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 as a participant in efforts to enhance the productivity, efficiency, and sustainability of the electricity grid. The basic concept of Smart Grid is to add monitoring, analysis, control and communication capabilities to the national electricity delivery system in order to maximize the output of the system while reducing energy consumption. Smart Grid will also allow homeowners and businesses to utilize electricity as efficiently and economically as possible. High performance buildings are also a huge topic at NEMA. Our economy, our health, and our environment are significantly affected 56
December 2010 www.businessreviewusa.com
by the buildings we occupy. High performance buildings (HPBs) address human, environmental, economic, and total societal needs in a whole building design. NEMA relies on its member companies to help develop its policy agenda via participation on association policy committees. Member company representatives appear before Congress and other policy-making agencies on industry concerns about energy policy, trade, product safety, electromagnetic fields, product liability, the environment, and other business-related issues.
Why Join NEMA?
* NEMA promotes the competitiveness of its member companies by providing: â&#x20AC;˘ the development of technical standards that promote fair competition by defining products and processes, leading to economies in production and elimination of confusion in the marketplace â&#x20AC;˘ a full range of lobbying services to its members, including policy analysis; development of industry positions; and the advocacy of industry positions to federal and
National Electrical Manufacturers NEMA
Image CREDIT: siemens
state government, foreign governments, and international bodies that wield power in the global marketplace • accurate and timely customized research, data collection, analysis, and forecasting to key decision-makers in NEMA member companies while maintaining the utmost confidentiality of company data • international programs designed to promote market access for members’ products, including such activities as standards, trade, and conformity assessment To learn more about NEMA, visit www.NEMA. org or watch the NEMA video at www.youtube. com/NEMAvue.
Read more association profiles > Visit Website For feedback and comments please get in touch.
Statistics Type: Electrical/Medical Imaging Equipment Location: Rosslyn, VA Founded: 1926 Executive Director: Evan Gaddis Key people: Bobby Bilicki Email: bobby.bilicki@nema.org Currency: US No. of listings: 450 www.nema.org
> feedback@whitedm.com
www.businessreviewusa.com December 2010
57
Vice President-Postal & Member Relations, Leo Raymond provides USPS updates
Mailing and fulfillment services association MFSA
mailing &
fulfillment services
association Written by Ken Garner
More than 90 years ago, a group of forward-thinking business professionals recognized the need to establish a trade association to focus on the needs of those engaged in the mail advertising industry. Originally named the Mail Advertising Service Association, the association’s leadership made the decision to expand its reach by incorporating fulfillment businesses into its mission and membership in 2001, and accordingly changed the association’s name to the Mailing & Fulfillment Service Association. Through its long and productive history, MFSA has worked to be the essential resource in fostering the success and growth of its member businesses. With local chapters located throughout the country MFSA is known for leading an industry transformation and for providing solutions to its members that enable them to succeed in meeting the changing needs of their customers. MFSA is an influential industry voice and is known as the expert resource for understanding the dynamic issues challenging the mailing and fulfillment industries. MFSA is an effective advocate for its members with the USPS and Congress. The association is
Ken Garner President and CEO, MFSA kgarner@ > E-mail Me mfsanet.org
a sought- after resource for new technologies, cutting edge industry practices, and innovative ideas. Members view the association as their primary source for business solutions and as an indispensable partner necessary to their business success. More specifically, MFSA member services include the following: • Industry advocacy on three distinct levels: 1 Federal: MFSA, in conjunction with its professional lobbyist, actively works to further industry issues with members of Congress. The future of the Postal Service is likely to be determined by Congressional legislation, so there is much at stake. 2 USPS Headquarters: MFSA actively works with USPS leadership to develop policies and practices that work equally well for both industry and the Postal Service. 3 State and local: MFSA actively supports the Mail Moves America Coalition to fight “Do Not Mail” campaigns that crop up throughout the US. • A robust and active listserve that provides real- time advice and solutions to members’ business challenges. www.businessreviewusa.com December 2010
59
• Telephone “hotline” services that provide expert advice related to mailing and fulfillment business management challenges. • A variety of business publications, written by industry experts, that provide detailed reviews of: Postal policy and practice Business management disciplines and best practices o Industry benchmarking o Industry pricing o Industry white papers that outline overarching industry challenges • A variety of approaches to member education and networking including: o Major industry conferences o Regional training workshops o Webinars o Local chapter meetings • A network of “industry partners” that can provide expert guidance on a variety of issues from environmental sustainability to mergers and acquisitions. 60
December 2010 www.businessreviewusa.com
• Access to a special property/casualty and workers’ compensation insurance program that has been customized to the unique needs of mailing and fulfillment businesses. • Industry accreditation programs. There has never been a greater need for effective industry leadership. Businesses engaged in the creation, processing, and distribution of mail are now confronted by an unprecedented combination of challenges. The complexity of these challenges is staggering. Business as usual is not an option. A significant danger lies in approaching this as a zero sum game, where any single stakeholder believes that success can only be achieved at the expense of another. Instead, success will depend on the entire supply chain working in a coordinated, cooperative fashion to design a fresh economic model that will provide a viable future for an industry that supplies millions of jobs and that represents a critically important part of our country’s economy. MFSA, representing fulfillment companies,
Mailing and fulfillment services association MFSA
Session during the Annual Conference held in Charleston, South Carolina
mail service providers and industry suppliers, is uniquely positioned to provide the leadership that the industry needs. Not confined to a specific class, or category of mail, MFSA members represent one of the largest and most significant business partners to the USPS. Working collaboratively with other industry groups and associations, its supplier partners and other stakeholders, MFSA is poised to help our members successively navigate the current wave of complex challenges that threaten our industry.
Networking and education are key components to an MFSA conference.
Statistics Type: Mailing and Fulfillment Location: Virginia, USA Founded: 1979
Read more association profiles > Visit Website For feedback and comments please get in touch.
Key person: Ken Garner, President and CEO No. of listings: 300 www.mfsanet.org
> feedback@whitedm.com
www.businessreviewusa.com December 2010
61
xxxxxxxxxxx
Tea Association of the U.S.A., Inc.
Tea
Association
of the USA, Inc.
Written by Joseph P. Simrany, President of Tea Association In a move designed to bring self-regulation to an industry at risk of government intervention, the Tea Association of the USA, Inc. was born in 1899. It was one of the first Trade Associations in the USA designed to protect the interests of American businesses and consumers. Today, some 111 years later, it still serves those same interests by setting guidelines and interfacing with government and non-government organizations to ensure compliance with all applicable laws regarding the importation, manufacture, packaging, safety, and distribution of tea within the USA. Importantly, it takes all necessary actions to ensure the growth and vitality of the tea industry. In the early 1950â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a separate organization was created to promote generic consumption of tea amongst consumers in the USA. Launched under the auspices of the Tea Association, the Tea Council of the USA conducts programs designed to bring awareness to tea by identifying its unique characteristics and distinct advantages over other beverages. For more than 20 years, this effort has focused on encouraging scientific investigation designed to uncover the seemingly endless health
Joseph Simrany, President Simrany@ > E-mail Me teausa.org
advantages associated with the consumption of â&#x20AC;&#x153;realâ&#x20AC;? tea from the Camellia sinensis plant. The effort has been hugely successful resulting in significant volume and revenue growth. A third organization was added under the Tea Association umbrella in 1995 designed to support the need for information and education about a newly emerging segment called Specialty Tea. Over the years, the Specialty Tea Institute expanded its mission from providing information about the segment to providing formal education services through its Certification Program. The Goals & Role of the Tea Association of the USA and its various divisions have evolved along with the needs of the industry. True to its original mandate, the parent organization (Tea Association) represents and defends the USA tea industry and sets Guidelines designed to promote an environment conducive to growth and vitality. The Tea Council continues to take a leadership role in associating tea consumption with a great many health benefits. The Specialty Tea Institute has grown from a little more than a vision to a sophisticated educational institution meeting the education needs of all segments of www.businessreviewusa.com December 2010
63
the Tea Industry. Despite its advanced age (almost 5,000 years old) The Tea Industry exhibits youthful vigor. Traditional products are doing well and new segments are flourishing. Entrepreneurs are attracted to the tea industry in ever increasing numbers ranging from small retail establishments to well financed operations responsible for launching hundreds of new tea rooms and medium sized packing operations. Even multi-national corporations are adding tea products to their line in an effort to keep pace with consumersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; desires to eat and drink healthier products. Food Safety issues are of paramount importance to the tea industry as it strives to keep ahead of emerging legislation designed to ensure that the USA food supply is amongst the safest in the world. Throughout its very long history, the tea industry has a stellar record of consistently providing tea products 64
December 2010 www.businessreviewusa.com
that are not only safe for human consumption but likely amongst the best choices for those consumers wishing to adopt a healthy lifestyle. Despite all its inherent benefits, tea still costs only pennies per serving. The Tea Association is proud of the fact that its members account for nearly 85% of all the tea that is traded in the USA. Our members are confident that they are well represented on all potential matters of interest and that they will have a voice in determining the direction and type of Guidelines issued by their Association. Concerns about social responsibility, the environment and sustainability are shared by all industries today and tea is no exception. While these issues are currently in vogue, they have long been the centerpiece of what makes the tea industry so unique. Also the bond between tea and the land on which it is grown is very strong and tea farmers have long recognized the need to nurture and protect the resources that
Tea Association of the U.S.A., Inc.
The Tea Association Team
are critical to their livelihood. Efforts are currently underway to extend to the rest of the world a Global Code of Conduct for the tea industry, which has its origins in the tiny tea producing country of Nepal. Upon completion this would add one more reason why the tea industry is different from all other industries in the way it satisfies its consumers to the way it treats its workers and the environment.
Statistics Type: Tea Location: USA Founded: 1899
Read more association profiles > Visit Website For feedback and comments please get in touch.
Executive Director: Joseph Simrany Email: simrany@teausa.org Currency: Dollars www.teausa.org
> feedback@whitedm.com
www.businessreviewusa.com December 2010
65
Spring Water Storange Facility at Bottling Plant in NC
international bottled water association ibwa
International
bottled
water Association
Written by Tom Lauria, VP of Communications for IBWA
The International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) is a trade association of bottled water producers, distributors and suppliers that was founded in 1958. IBWA activities include scientific and technical relations, government relations and communications. Recently, critics of bottled water have focused on environmental issues as well as bottled water’s safety and regulatory compliance. As a food product regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), bottled water products adhere to the highest standards, which by law, must be as protective of the public health as the EPA’s regulations for municipal water systems, to ensure every single bottle is safe, sanitary and properly labeled. All IBWA plants are inspected annually by an independent, thirdparty organization. As only one of thousands of consumer products packaged in plastic, bottled water has been shown to have a very small environmental footprint. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), plastic bottled water containers amount to only 1/3 of one percent of the U.S. waste stream. Any efforts to reduce the amount of product packaging that ends up
mail to:
Joseph jdoss@botdoss, tledwater. president org or IBWA > E-mail Me
in landfills must focus on all consumer products and not focus on any one product. Over the past eight years, the weight of plastic bottles has been decreased by over 32 percent, with future plastic light-weighting likely. In terms of actual water usage, A Drinking Water Research Foundation (DWRF) study found that bottled water amounts to only 2/100 of one percent of all groundwater water withdrawals. In 2010, IBWA commissioned Franklin Associates to conduct a Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) study to measure the bottled water industry’s over-all environmental impact. At 1.08 million tons, bottled water container discards account for just 0.64 percent of the 169 million tons of total U.S. municipal solid waste discards in 2007. Looking at energy consumption, the process and transportation energy use for the bottled water industry was 0.07 percent of total U.S. primary energy consumption in 2007. That is less than 1/10th of one percent. Another important way to measure bottled water’s environmental impact is to look at greenhouse gas (or CO2) emissions. The bottled water industry emits 6.8 million tons of www.businessreviewusa.com December 2010
67
CO2 per year, which is equivalent to only 0.08 percent of total United States emissions. In bale studies conducted annually by NAPCOR, empty bottled water containers were shown to be the single most recycled item in single stream curbside recycling programs, at 30.9 percent in 2008. Just one year before, the bottled water container recycling rate was 23.4 percent. That’s a remarkable 32 percent improvement in a single year. Efforts to decrease the industry’s footprint even further involve using more recycled PET plastic, compostable, biodegradable plastic, and hybrid trucks added to delivery fleets. Upon evaluating the nature and direction of criticism against bottled water, IBWA found our detractors would be most effectively addressed by including social media in combination with traditional mainstream media responses. IBWA’s main website www.bottledwater.org addresses the scientific, technical and political issues facing the bottled water industry. Three years ago, IBWA established a consumeroriented website www.bottledwatermatters. 68
December 2010 www.businessreviewusa.com
com where we could speak directly and more informally to our fans and customers, with news articles, commentary and a “show your support for bottled water” signature-gathering effort which in just over a year has grown to over 25,000 names. To reach current and future customers, IBWA has produced and posted 18 videos for the popular YouTube Channel. These short video cover both humorous and serious topics. In all, they have earned 57,000 unique views. To bolster support for bottled water, IBWA is well-represented on “Facebook” – with 4,500 “Bottled Water Matters” fans and “Twitter”, where three different Twitter accounts have a combined number of over 1,700 “followers.” Keeping pace with a changing, modern world, IBWA recently introduced an electronic version of our 50 year-old magazine “Bottled Water Reporter” which is available on both of our website platforms. And taking a more proactive advocacy stance on recycling, IBWA recently formed a partnership with America’s largest recycling-advocacy website www.Earth911.com
international bottled water association ibwa
IBWAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Exhibit at InterBev2010 co-sponsors event
to further underscore the bottled water industryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s concern for corporate social responsibility. With the rates of diabetes, heart disease and obesity on the rise, the bottled water industry can make a difference by continuing to meet consumer demand for a safe, healthy and convenient product. And because consumer demand ensures that our products are around when they want us, bottled water producers are sure to be there when consumers need us, whether during times of natural disasters (floods, hurricanes and wildfires) or other emergencies, such as boil alerts and contamination of municipal water supplies.
Read more association profiles > Visit Website For feedback and comments please get in touch.
Statistics Type: Water Bottling Location: USA Founded: 1958 Owner: Joseph Doss, Email: jdoss@bottledwater.org Key people: Daniel Felton, VP of Government Relations Currency: Dollars No. of listings: 500 www.bottledwater.org
> feedback@whitedm.com
www.businessreviewusa.com December 2010
69
International Air Transport Association
IATA
International
Air Transport Association Written by Desmond Vertannes, IATA Global Head of Cargo
IATA (International Air Transport – it is increasing in complexity while at the same time Association) was founded in Havana, Cuba, in under pressure to reduce costs. Customers expect April 1945. It is the prime vehicle for inter-airline the supply chain to transport ever more products cooperation in promoting safe, reliable, secure to far away destinations safely and reliably. and economical air services - for the benefit IATA’s mission is to lead, represent and serve of the world’s consumers. The international the industry. We are focused on giving the supply scheduled air transport industry is now more chain the processes, standards and services it needs than 100 times larger than it was in 1945. Few to manage an increasingly complex business. industries can match the dynamism of that As of July 2010, 30 countries are e-freight live, growth, which would have been much less including the top 10 countries by international air spectacular without the standards, practices freight volumes. An additional 14 countries are and procedures developed within IATA. expected go live by the end of the year, putting At its founding, IATA had 57 members from 31 in place the critical mass needed to move nations, mostly in Europe and North America. the entire global supply chain to paperToday it has some 230 members from 126 free air cargo. nations in every part of the globe. Security is and always has been a Today’s association has evolved to key issue for the supply chain. IATA is confront industry issues and offer global addressing this need with our Secure solutions, including in the area of cargo. Freight program. The air cargo industry Cargo is a vital strategic industry in the is experiencing increasing security Desmond global economy. It enables the safe and costs, inconsistency of terms, definitions Vertannes global reliable transport of goods to hundreds of and national requirements in addition to head of countries and millions of people around unhelpfully diverse opinions regarding cargo, the world. The cargo business is changing security controls. IATA December 2010 www.businessreviewusa.com
71
Secure Freight is built upon baseline cargo security requirements and the need for low-cost, lowtech solutions. It complements existing compliance tools like SEMS (Security Management Systems), IOSA (IATA Operational Safety Audit) and ISAGO (IATA Safety Audit for Ground Operations). The Secure Freight vision is an air cargo industry comprised of certified secure operators, in secure supply chains, operating to international cargo security standards, recognized by relevant state authorities. We plan to publish the initial Secure Freight Operating Procedures and Manual, and to kickoff an initial set of four Secure Freight pilots by the end of the year. Cargo 2000 is an industry initiative aiming at implementing a new quality management system for the worldwide air cargo industry. The objective is simple: to implement processes, backed by quality standards, which are measurable to improve the efficiency of air cargo. Cargo 2000 re-engineers the air cargo transportation scheme from shipper to consignee. Individual processes in the supply chain are reduced from 40 to just 19, cutting down on operational achieving environment targets. costs and enhancing customer service. • Cheaper access to the Cargo Accounts Settlement System. CASS is the best method Benefits of becoming to settle payments. The program has proven an IATA member: itself and is useful to both airlines and freight • Safety remains the industry’s top priority. forwarders because it greatly simplifies their IATA maintains a number of safety initiatives to payment procedures. assist the industry, one of which is IOSA, the • International recognition and lobbying. IATA benchmark for global safety management in provides a powerful, unified and experience airlines. All IATA members are registered and voice to support and promote its member airline must remain registered in order to maintain IATA operations and aspirations. The association membership. It is recognition of our commitment maintains representative offices in Washington to safety. Other initiatives include ISAGO and and Brussels to lobby governments and other we hope to add Secure Freight to the portfolio. international bodies on critical aviation issues. • Our industry has a vision to achieve carbon- • IATA members receive discounts on cargo neutral growth on the way to a carbon free training programs. Education and training must industry. IATA’s efforts and work largely be a key focus. It is primordial to ensure our contributed to the fact that the airline industry industry maintains the highest levels of safety and is ahead of all other industries in setting and security, and overall quality. A recent example is 72
December 2010 www.businessreviewusa.com
International Air Transport Association
providing training for the transportation of Time and Temperature Sensitive goods, targeted primarily at the healthcare industry. Another topic is modernizing our standard Ground Handling agreement as well as the standards related to handing ULDs. â&#x20AC;˘ The opportunity to shape the industry through participation in Simplifying the Business initiatives like e-freight.
IATA
Statistics Type: Airline Industry
Read more association profiles > Visit Website For feedback and comments please get in touch.
Location: Worldwide Founded: 1945 CEO: Giovanni Bisignani www.iata.org
> feedback@whitedm.com
December 2010 www.businessreviewusa.com
73
City of Santa Fe
Where Art, Science & Innovation
Thrive America’s oldest state capital attracts creative and educated innovators at the forefront of the sustainability revolution Written by Laura Clapper & Produced by Jay Rosart
Founded four hundred years ago as Santa Fe is located between a capital city of the Spanish province of New two major national laboratories— Spain, Santa Fe, New Mexico has the unique Los Alamos and Sandia—making distinction of being the oldest state capital in the science and technology major United States and the birthplace of contemporary industries for the city. It’s also home Native American art. The city is home to a vibrant to the Santa Fe Institute, a leader in complexity art community, booming technology sector, research; the School for Advanced Research, a two national laboratories nearby and several noted anthropological institute focusing on the higher education institutions including St. John’s archaeology and ethnography of the Southwest; College, Southwestern College, the Santa Fe and the Santa Fe Complex, a center of University of Art and Design, and the Santa Fe collaborative art, technical and scientific research. Community College. A high percentage of its While some may feel that art and science are at 72,900 residents hold advanced degrees making odds, the two industries live harmoniously and it one of the most educated cities in the country collaboratively in Santa Fe, creating the ideal as well. “It’s one of the most unique environment for innovation to thrive. places geographically because we’re at the edge of the Rockies, we’re at ECONOMIC the edge of the Great Basin, we’re DEVELOPMENT at the edge of the Great Plains and Though Santa Fe relies on tourism we’re at the edge of the Chihuahua and the arts to fill the coffers, Desert,” says Mayor David Coss. leaders seek to balance its It’s no wonder that Santa Fe economic portfolio, focusing on consistently ranks as one of the best creativity and innovation. “We want David Coss, Mayor places to live in the country. to continue to be a strong center for 74
December 2010 www.businessreviewusa.com
Photo credit: Joyce Bond, Public
tourism, but our economic development strategy is
Santa Fe is the oldest capital city in the United States. The Zia sun symbol, found on the New Mexico flag, was the inspiration for the round Capitol—affectionately known as the Roundhouse
“Santa Fe has a long history of being a destination for really creative, knowledgeable people”
pushing areas that we’re good in, or think we can be good in, that we want to develop so that we have a more balanced economic portfolio than just government and tourism,” says Mayor Coss. The city’s economic developKate Noble, Economic Development Specialist ment plan focuses on five areas: arts and culture, science and technology, green, media and knowledge- addition to bringing broadband into the city, based industries. “Santa Fe has a long history leaders are working with local education centers, of being a destination for really creative, from the Santa Fe schools to local colleges—to knowledgeable people,” says Kate Noble, assess and augment the workforce needs of the Economic Development Specialist for the city. city and train the young people for these roles. The economic development team seeks to Established businesses allow the city to take advantage of this to foster an innovative thrive. “We have a very active program to work community. with businesses that are already in the city, Three work areas of development include identify their needs and the resources that we business, workforce and infrastructure. In can match them up with so that they can grow www.businessreviewusa.com December 2010
75
www.sfcc.edu
and hire more workers or just stay in business,” says Noble. The city has engaged in a passive recruitment strategy to attract businesses to town, meaning that when a company contacts the city, it will actively court the company to Santa Fe. However, the city is looking at revising its recruitment strategy to include the active recruitment of small companies to the area, “that can fit very well with Santa Fe and our target industries to fill out some of the areas where we have emerging strengths, such as complexity science or other science and technology areas,” she says. The city has seen a rise in unemployment due to the state of the economy; however, the rise has been modest compared to many other cities. “Like many municipalities, we’ve seen shrinking budgets so we’re trying to be much more careful 76
December 2010 www.businessreviewusa.com
The beautiful 74,362 square feet Santa Fe Community Convention Center was completed in 2008. Since public art is such a vital part of the Santa Fe fabric, the Santa Fe Arts Commission installed “Santa Fe Current”, 27 granite Rio Grande cutthroat trout, created by artist Colette Hosmer
about any funds we spend,” says Noble. Funds are used to invest in the future of the city while providing results that are sustainable, long term and get people back to work.
GREEN INITIATIVES
The Sustainable Santa Fe Plan was created to improve the sustainability and resiliency of the community, particularly in times of environmental challenges. The comprehensive plan covers water, energy, agriculture, food security and other pertinent issues to provide a guide for the sustainable development of the city. “We’re half way through the $30 million bond issue that the community voted for,” says Mayor Coss. The $30 million is being spent to renovate and revive the city’s 57 parks and urban trails. According to Mayor Coss, Santa Fe is one
City of Santa Fe
Photo credit: Joyce Bond, Public Information Office
of the most water-conscious communities in the US, using less water—amounting to 2,000 acre feet—now than it did a decade ago. The city requires new developments with water fixtures to offset use through the installation of water-efficient appliances and fixtures. The city allocates 1,000 acre feet of water to the restoration of the Santa Fe River to revive this precious resource and make it a living river again. Restoration also includes the creation of bicycle and pedestrian trails for recreation. The bicycle trails are part of $13 million worth of trail projects in the city to improve its walkability. The city has aggressive green building codes that address environmental impacts from water conservation to emissions. The codes were modeled after the green build model set forth by the National Association of Home
Builders. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI), the International Codes Council (ICC), and the NAHB published the green build model in 2008 as a new standard, which will be added to the family of building codes of the ICC in 2012. “We started with that and then made it much more relevant to Santa Fe and the way we build here,” says Katherine Mortimer, Supervising Planner with Housing and Community Development. The building codes also require that structures reflect Santa Fe style: Pueblo revival, newold and territorial. One recent structure is the new Santa Fe Community Convention Center, which is LEED Gold certified and built in the Pueblo revival style. Santa Fe received nearly $1.3 million in federal stimulus money. “We’re using those www.businessreviewusa.com December 2010
77
funds for lighting programs and upgrades,” says Nick Schiavo, an Energy Specialist. Projects include upgrading the lighting in 28 of the 52 city buildings, replacing 170 high pressure sodium lights in one of the city’s parking garages with LED lights that will use half the energy and last 20 years, installing LED streetlights and traffic signals, HVAC and boiler upgrades and a 1 megawatt photovoltaic project at the wastewater treatment plant. “We’re midway through a project to start generating electricity for our wastewater treatment facility. Forty percent of the electricity for our wastewater treatment plant will be solar,” says Mayor Coss. Funded through a power purchase agreement, the city will pay just $0.06 per kilowatt hour for electricity or less over the next 20 years. Santa Fe is a hotbed of innovation. The stand-alone solar lights in three city parks, dubbed the “Santa Fe” were designed by a local artist in conjunction with a solar lighting company out of Albuquerque. The lights are adjustable by the park staff and use no electricity from the grid. “This community is very environmentally aware and conscious and very progressive in their outlook,” says the Mayor. “We have so many people here that are creative and educated. We see it as a way to develop the economy and make the economy more sustainable. The more we generate energy
ourselves, the better off we’ll be generating an outflow of dollars from our economy to a corporate economy somewhere else.”
ON THE HORIZON
Caterpillar recently purchased a Santa Fe startup focused on clean air technology. The city had given the startup a grant and small business loan a few years ago. The company thrived in Santa Fe, developing state-of-the-art emission control technology systems for heavy equipment, which caught the attention of Caterpillar. As a result, Caterpillar is coming to town with plans to expand the existing plant and hire another 60 employees. “Those are exactly the kind of technology spin-offs that we hope
“ The more we generate energy ourselves, the better off we’ll be generating an outflow of dollars from our economy to a corporate economy somewhere else” Mayor David Coss
78
December 2010 www.businessreviewusa.com
Photo credit: Joyce Bond, Public
City of Santa Fe
The Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi is in the heart of downtown, and its appearance in magazines and other publications immediately identifies Santa Fe. Photo credit: Joyce Bond, Public Information Office
Statistics Name: City of Santa Fe, New Mexico Country: USA Est: 1610 Employees: 1,557 Industry: Energy Premiere Service: Municipality to do more of as we go,” says Mayor Coss. “We’re very proud to have Caterpillar come to Santa Fe.” In the future, the Mayor predicts more collaboration among art, culture and science, increased diversity of the economy and improved regional connectivity due to the Rail Runner Express, the rail system between Albuquerque and Santa Fe.
There are more company reports available to read > Visit Website For feedback and comments please get in touch.
URL: http://www.santafenm.gov/
Management Mayor: David Coss City Manager: Robert P. Romero Director, Economic Development Division: Fabian Trujillo Director, Public Utilities Department: Brian K. Snyder Director, Public Works and Community Services: Isaac J. Pino
> feedback@whitedm.com
www.businessreviewusa.com December 2010
79
80
December 2010 www.businessreviewusa.com
Aerion Rental Services
Aerion Rental Services Brings
New Business Practices
to the Oil & Gas Equipment Industry Even as a four-year-old company, Aerion Rental Services has the kind of plans that can rival larger companies Written by Adio B. Royster & Produced by Brad Mahoney
Four years ago, two brothers – Ben and Matt Bernard – started a small oil field equipment service provider of the Fayetteville Shale Play. Naturally, they encountered the same roller coaster ride that any new start-up company in any industry faced. Now, the Bernards’ business is a premier service provider with a with a bevy of rental equipment and locations in Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas and Pennsylvania. Unique business models and high standards of customer service have given four-year old Aerion Rental Services the kind of reputation that sometimes takes decades to establish.
HANDLING THEIR CUSTOMERS THE RIGHT WAY
Is it possible that many companies have ignored a fundamental principal of good business? Telling people what they need can be a “hitor-miss” practice that can either put you three steps forward or ten steps back. President Ben Bernard prefers to do things a different way. “One thing that we’ve noticed of our
competitors is that they don’t listen enough to their customers,” Bernard says. Brother Matt Bernard says Aerion’s customers are their research and development division – since Aerion doesn’t have one in house. Customers dictate what kinds of innovations that Aerion decides to invest in and offer. Aerion doesn’t force feed what may not be needed. More focus is getting communication from their clients on what they need and how they can provide them. Bernard knows his company has to compete with the Haliburtons of the world, so dealing with customers a different way can only help Aerion’s reputation. “Our main concern is keeping our customers happy. If our customers are using a new technique or technology, we work with them to try and help them save some money,” Bernard says. Another aspect bringing smiles to Aerion’s clients is convenience. While it may be true that many of the products offered are manufactured in Louisiana, all of that equipment is accessible within a 90-minute drive – which is key when you need a product ASAP. www.businessreviewusa.com December 2010
81
www.elliotelectric.com
EMPLOYING LOCALLY, PROMOTING INTERNALLY AND PROMOTING SAFETY
family business aerion operates in 4 states
started by brothers ben and matt in 2006
LA, TX, PA and AK
82
December 2010 www.businessreviewusa.com
Aerion Rental Services prides itself on its hiring practices. When Aerion sets up in a new Shale market, they prefer to hire local personnel as opposed to importing them from other areas. For instance, at their newest plant in Pennsylvania, 10 of the 12 people employed at the facility are local workers from nearby, and the other two were brought in from Louisiana. Aerion has a penchant for stimulating local economy in more than one way when they set-up shop. “You can find good talented workers. It’s just about training them, and that’s one of the benefits we bring to the table. We built and engineered our equipment so we can train them on it so they can have a new career,” says Vice
Aerion Rental Services
President Matt Bernard. Once employed, Aerion workers have a great opportunity to excel and move up the ladder into more leadership positions. Bernard and Aerion prefer to do it that way. If you’re an employee of Aerion Rental Services, you can rest assured that you’re working for a safety minded company. Bernard states that there are certain safety incentives everyone strives for, and since the company’s creation, there has only been one accident where a worker lost time – and that accident was “minor”.
Services that has many clients in four different states, the last thing you would want is a complicated system of tracking which clients need what supplies at what time. Aerion invested in a new custom software package that was developed in-house. One of the partners owns a small software firm – Comet Technologies – and they were hired along with some other designers to finish the project. “It’s really been one of the keys that has allowed us to grow so rapidly. Being able to control where our equipment is at all times and seeing the rates that we’re getting in different areas to make better business decisions,” Matt MAKING THINGS Bernard explains. EASY AS WELL AS The brand new IT software not only does ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND that, but it handles Aerion’s financial aspects When you’re a company such as Aerion Rental like field ticketing and invoicing. Like any other www.businessreviewusa.com December 2010
83
company, Aerion knows that technology is key in progression. “We do emphasize that through this new software system, we’re always trying to be on the cutting edge of technological advances and services to the oil and gas industry,” Ben Bernard says. Working in the oil and gas industry, Aerion knows full well the kinds of environmental dangers involved in working in the industry and certain steps have been taken to ensure green practices. Aerion implements a full closed loop system on their drilling where drill cuttings are treated and collected for disposal or 84
December 2010 www.businessreviewusa.com
alternative use such as road base in certain areas since they’re non-toxic.
FUTURE ENDEAVORS
Aerion Rental Services already boasts an impressive clientele list as they work with companies such as Chesapeake Energy, Encana and Southwestern Energy, and that works in conjunction with Matt Bernard’s belief that the company wants to maximize their domestic business before any other future expansion. There has been the desire of some of Aerion’s clients to follow them overseas for services in countries around the world, but Aerion prefers to move on to more and more
Aerion Rental Services
Statistics Name: Aerion Rental Services Country: United States Est: 2006 Employees: 123 Industry: Energy Shale Plays in the U.S., build up its reputation even further and then move on to become more of a global player providing quality oil and gas equipment services with the kind of business practices that any client can get behind.
There are more company reports available to read > Visit Website
Premiere Service: Equipment for Oil and Gas Drilling URL: www.aerionrentals.com
Management President: Ben Bernard Vice President: Matt Bernard
For feedback and comments please get in touch. > feedback@whitedm.com
www.businessreviewusa.com December 2010
85
Along with Laundering Services UniTech also offers Tool and Metal Decontamination
86
December 2010 www.businessreviewusa.com
UniTech Services Group
UniTech Cleans the World’s
Radioactive Supply Chain UniTech Services Group is the world’s first and largest provider of radiological laundry and protective wear programs Written by John T. Connelly & Produced by Brad Mahoney
UniTech Services Group is the only commercial radiological laundry company with a facility within 500 miles of every nuclear reactor in the United States. The Company has recently begun expanding into Europe. The world’s first licensed radiological laundry business, UniTech is the world’s largest provider of radiological laundry and protective wear programs, today. “Our core business is the laundering and decontaminating of nuclear protective clothing,” says Gregg Johnstone, Global Director of Sales and Marketing. “We’re into reuse. It’s much better for the environment, the planet.” UniTech was founded in Springfield, Massachusetts in 1957. UniTech has grown to more than 500 employees in 11 licensed facilities throughout the United States, Canada and Europe. UniTech services 60-70% of the US nuclear market, which includes government research facilities and nuclear utilities. With limited US customers, UniTech
is expanding into new markets to augment expanded services and products.
Service Cycle
UniTech nuclear laundry operations are primarily dictated by the operation cycles of nuclear reactors. 80% of the business comes when reactors are shutdown, which only amounts to the fall and spring when electricity demands are low. As such, UniTech increases up staff to coincide with work increases and, conversely, contracts when business slows in the winter and summer months. “When the reactors are shut down is when the maintenance work occurs. Guys go in to work on piping. They go in wearing protective coveralls, hoods, rubber gloves, rubber shoe covers. They come out and put the gear in laundurable bags for processing,” says Johnstone. “The bags of protective clothing build up and we send a truck in either every day or three days a week, pick it up, send it back to our plants, www.businessreviewusa.com December 2010
87
60-70% of the us nuclear market is services by unitech
mailto: office@newellindustries.com
UniTech US Facility Richland Wash Alley
decontaminate it and monitor it to ensure low levels of radioactivity. We then return it to them for reuse.” During normal uptime for reactors, sites use anywhere from 20 to 50 coveralls a day. During an outage, the sites use 2,000 to 3,000 overalls a day. The major difference provides obvious business challenges, such as staffing and dependency. Strategically, UniTech is now expanding services to include things that closely align with its core business.
Tools and Equipment
In addition to clothing, utility customers also use a lot of tools and equipment—ladders, scaffolding, hammers, extension chords, etc. UniTech has recently changed its radiological 88
December 2010 www.businessreviewusa.com
licenses with the regulatory authorities to include tool and metal decontamination, in addition to clothing. To help the business grow long-term, UniTech seeks to offer a suite of decontamination services. Typically, utilities release their ramped up staff after an outage and let the used tools and equipment pile up, leaving a radioactive liability. Without the time and money, most of the tools and equipment are stored then eventually disposed of as radioactive waste. “We’ve just started recently doing our tool/ metal decon,” says Johnstone. “After the outage, the utility will now send us the full trailers. We will clean them, decontaminate them, survey them, inventory them, and organize them so that the next outage, instead of buying
UniTech Services Group
new, utilities can reuse the tools and equipment. We changed our licenses about two years ago. From a business standpoint, this new service allows us to keep our workforce consistent over the year.”
Specialty Products
Utilities use more than just clothing, equipment and tools during a shutdown period. Utilities also use smears, tapes, signs, temporary barriers, plastic, single use items. In the past, utilities tell warehouses its procurement needs to service sites during stoppage. UniTech is looking to assume the warehouse’s
“ We will clean them, decontaminate them, survey them, inventory them, and organize them so that the next outage, instead of buying new, utilities can reuse the tools and equipment” Gregg Johnstone, Global Director of Sales and Marketing
www.businessreviewusa.com December 2010
89
role with a mobile supply store. UniTech’s fleet of trucks deliver supplies on an as-needed basis so utilities don’t have to spend money on storage. Just-in-time delivery means that UniTech can restock supplies at no extra cost during regular laundry shipments. Items are delivered in a self-contained mobile facility designed for easy dispensing in an organized, computerized inventory control system. “We basically prestock the truck with what the utility thinks it’s going to use and bring it on site during the shutdown,” says Johnstone. “Whatever they use, they pay for. Whatever they don’t use, we take back. It’s a just-in-time’ inventory for the reactors during the shutdown periods. We have this service for 16 customers at 20 to 30 different sites.” 90
December 2010 www.businessreviewusa.com
Apparel
UniTech isn’t limiting itself to laundering contaminated clothing; the Company also designs and sells nuclear protective clothing. The Company is particularly focusing on the undergarments workers use. For the last two years, UniTech has been developing a wickable, synthetic garment for workers to wear beneath protective coveralls. “We’ve developed what’s called a microdenier wickable fabric that wicks moisture away,” say Johnstone. “The workforce didn’t like the tight-fitting clothing so we went to a drappable design, similar to a surgeon scrub, but with the same wickable material. It’s called our CoolTech scrub. It’s worn in 12 plants and has been out for about 12 months.”
UniTech Services Group the 1st
unitech is the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first licensed radiological laundry business
Statistics Name: UniTech Services Group Country: USA Est: 1957 Employees: 150 Industry: Energy Premiere Service: Nuclear Laundering
UniTech received the Exelon Award for Green Supplier in 2008
The CoolTech scrub is expanding quickly, much like UniTech as a whole. The innovative apparel is a perfect example of UniTech looking for business opportunities that align with its core business. Using its strategic geographical base, UniTech is looking for more ways to service its limited customer base. UniTech is as potent as ever.
There are more company reports available to read > Visit Website For feedback and comments please get in touch.
Revenue: $150 Million URL: www.unitechus.com
Management Vice President: George J. Bakevich Opeations Manager: Paul Manley Director, Sales & Marketing: Gregg Johnstone Director, Supply Services: Vic Crusselle Manager, HP & Engineering: Mike Fuller Manager, Corp. Purchasing: Jeffrey Landine
> feedback@whitedm.com
www.businessreviewusa.com December 2010
91
A Tri-County Rural Electric Cooperative line crew works from a basket suspended from a crane to repair a damaged high-voltage transmission line overlooking the Pine Creek valley in Lycoming County, Pa. Much of Tri-Countyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s service territory is mountainous and wooded. About 40 percent of the cooperativeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 19,000 accounts are seasonal customers. 92
December 2010 www.businessreviewusa.com
Tri-County Rural Electric
Rural Electric Cooperative
with Stock
in Major
Investors
Tri-Country reaps the benefits of an investor owned operation & manages to grow through natural gas finds despite seasonal customers Written by Meaghan Clark & Produced by Robert Saenz AN UNUSUAL COOPERATIVE Tri-County is a rural electric cooperative, but in the early ‘90s it formed a holding company in order to purchase stock in a small, investorowned company, Wellsboro Electric. Several years later Tri-County formed a partnership with Claverack Rural Electric Cooperative to create C&T Enterprises, which enabled the cooperatives to jointly purchase the two additional investor-owned utilities, Citizens’ Electric Co. and Valley Energy, a small natural gas distribution utility. The partnership has enabled Tri-County and Claverack to logistically act as a large, investor-owned organization while remaining Pennsylvaniabased cooperatives. “Tri-County has been able to reap the benefits with what we’ve done with C&T,” said C&T Co-President and CEO Craig Eccher. “All employees have been able www.businessreviewusa.com December 2010
93
www.asplundh.com
Members of Tri-County Rural Electric operations and engineering departments stand in front of a new 5-megavolt-ampere transformer at the cooperative’s Sullivan substation near Mainesburg, Pa. The substation was totally rebuilt utilizing cooperative work crews and put into service in the spring of 2010
to take advantage of this larger scale for such things as human resources, key accounts, communications, information technology, safety and a call center.” Actually an employee of C&T, Eccher admits that Tri-County is able to “play both sides of the game” in this competitive industry. The strength in this partnership has guaranteed that Tri-County will continue to grow; aside from stable rates and employee benefits, Tri-County has the financial capacity to bring a wide range of competencies while still lowering operating costs through shared assets.
EMPLOYEES
Through the unique financial advantages of the C&T partnership, as well as a shared management services scheme, Tri-County and its affiliated companies are able to hire 94
December 2010 www.businessreviewusa.com
more experienced employees from around the country. C&T provides management services to the two partner cooperatives and three investor-owned subsidiaries in the areas of human resources and payroll, information technology, key accounts, communications, safety and compliance. C&T also operates an after-hours call center utilized by all of the C&T companies, as well as several outside utilities from New York state. Many of the resources available to employees, including the compensation plans, in-house wellness programs and advocacy toward continuing education, also stem from the C&T partnership. That partnership “has brought a lot of value to the organization as a whole,” said Eccher, and employees have an opportunity to benefit in more ways than one. “I think that’s a very
Tri-County Rural Electric
“ Tri-County has been able to reap the benefits with what we’ve done with C&T”
unique structure in the cooperative world, and the investor world. With most acquisitions, once a company buys an investor-owned territory or an asset, it gets rolled right into the cooperative. We have Craig not done that. We’ve played both sides of the game.” Most importantly, employees have a chance to “make their mark” on the organization,” added Eccher; “Rather than just being another number, they have their say.” This familial organizational style has retained employees educated at higher levels. Though Tri-County is small, with just 19,000 customers and 3,200 miles of energized lines, employees have the ability to work within six Tri-County offices, one of which is actually the office building for Wellsboro Electric, one of the C&T subsidiary companies.
Eccher, President & CEO
A SEASONAL CHALLENGE
Even with all its strengths, Tri-County Rural Electric is constantly searching for improvements. One avenue that keeps them balanced is through financial forecasting, but even so one of the most difficult challenges this rural cooperative faces is its large seasonal customer base. Approximately 40 percent of the cooperative’s accounts are hunting camps, seasonal homes and cottages, all infrequent users of energy. “The revenue www.businessreviewusa.com December 2010
95
John Lykens, Tri-County Rural Electric Cooperative director of engineering and operations
has been lower than most cooperatives based on the same amount of membership. To run fairly lean, for the amount of customers, we go through a lot of state parks so we have an extensive amount of right-of-way cutting,” said Eccher. “We’re always looking for new processes, and have done this through technology.”
NATURAL GAS
Tri-County saw a rise in sales during the global economic recession due to new business, and thanks in particular to the development of the Marcellus Shale natural gas formation. “We’ve been inundated with the mother of all natural gas finds, so we’ve got a lot of construction 96
December 2010 www.businessreviewusa.com
C&T Ente telephon
going on,” said Eccher. “As one of the largest natural gas accounts, this find has enabled TriCounty to continue generating more sales.”
POTENTIAL GROWTH
Eccher came into Tri-County during a time of great opportunities and growth. Since starting in 1990, Eccher has seen Tri-County continue to expand both internally and externally. Now more than ever Tri-County has taken an involvement in community projects, attending local fairs and participating in first response events, while encouraging employees and their families to get involved in various regional groups. Eccher expects to see Tri-County grow by
Tri-County Rural Electric
Statistics Name: Tri-County Rural Electric Country: USA Est: 1936 Employees: 105 Industry: Energy Revenue: $100 million
erprises Call Center employees handle ne calls during a power outage
at least ten percent next year due in part to the Marcellus Shale project. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our growth is going to skyrocket,â&#x20AC;? he said. With major construction happening in Marcellus, in addition to ten other projects in queue that are above and beyond normal workload, the business is looking up.
There are more company reports available to read > Visit Website
URL: www.tri-countyrec.com
Management Director of Financial Services: Barbara Johnson Director of Human Resources: Cheryl LeBlanc Senior Director of Engineering and Operations: John Lykens Director of Member Services: Bryan Berguson
For feedback and comments please get in touch. > feedback@whitedm.com
www.businessreviewusa.com December 2010
97