On November 1, 2007 IntellaCore collaborated with the Regional Chamber Alliance (RCA) near Pittsburgh to help business owners clarify questions and get answers about expanding beyond their present boundaries. Workshop participants were prompted to think in new ways about how the global nature of today’s economy affected them now and would affect them in the future.
Attendees had many examples of how material costs, worldwide economic conditions, and Internet technology was changing the way they do business – and how these events create new risks as well as new opportunities.
Bret Holdren at Keystone Custom Fabricators has seen greater fluctuations in stainless steel costs over the last few years. This reduced stability of stainless steel prices is a new business risk: once a customer accepts his bid, he cannot pass on any increased material costs. “The workshop reinforced how I’m affected by the global economy,” said Bret.
The workshop also inspired Bret to upgrade his company website. An active web site could improve service to customers enhance Keystone’s image.
For Cindy Stevens, Gulf Trading & Transport, the workshop inspired new ideas on how to grow the business. “It gave me the idea to look further than the local arena for clients. By checking into the foreign companies working in Western Pennsylvania … new avenues can open up internationally.”
It even can be valuable to learn that there is nothing to do. One participant, Marti Gastel, owner of Dorothy’s Candies, had her suspicions confirmed that “international selling is not yet a feasible approach for us. Just making sure there's nothing new out there.”
RCA Executive Director Howard Carpenter sees the value for RCA members: “The event compelled attendees to think of applications and issues differently and to consider things not considered before.”
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“I have been a trainer and executive advisor for many years. It is important that I really focus on the practical need of the business owner to help them meet their challenges. The global economy and its impact on regional businesses is real. IntellaCore has my trust and confidence to address these challenges. Recently they worked with me to help one client with whom I had a particular interest in assisting. Even with limited information, and a unique situation, the IntellaCore team took the time to work with my client, found him the answers he needed, and to provide honest advice and good direction on what he should do to achieve his objectives. As his project moves forward I feel confident that IntellaCore has the resources we need to make the difference in a successful implementation.”
Bill Hendricks
Owner
Hendricks Training
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“Over the past eight years I have been an advisor or interim COO for several global organizations. My work has focused largely on reinvention and competitive advantage. While much of this work was accomplished with large multi-national firms, I’ve learned that most of the competitive issues are also common to SMEs. One recent client, a very small family-owned machine shop, needed to understand how their business was relevant to the global economy and how they could best position themselves to not only survive, but thrive in the face of fierce international competition. The IntellaCore partnership has allowed me to better direct this company toward the achievement of their goals. IntellaCore’s diversity has identified a broad spectrum of possibilities and helped tie all the pieces together; from intelligent use of Internet resources, to expanding my client’s regional and domestic strengths in preparation for global participation. I am very impressed with the range of IntellaCore’s capabilities and the tremendous value they bring to my clients, and I’m looking forward to improving my company with this partnership in 2008 and beyond!”
Thom Stimpel
Proactive Business Improvements, LLC
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