Friday, December 2, 2011

Good News (12-6-11)

Good News
 
Here are just a few of the recent jobs announcements that have crossed my desk in recent weeks.

Daicel Safety Tube Processing, an auto components maker, will locate a new manufacturing facility in Beaver Dam, Kentucky, creating 25 new jobs.

Henniges Automotive, a maker of auto parts, will expand its operation in Rockingham County, North Carolina and add 64 new jobs.

In Wayne County, Indiana, Wayne Dairy Products, Inc. and Osborn International will expand and add 35 new jobs.

In Kinston, North Carolina, Smithfield Packaging, a division of Smithfield Foods, will expand and create 330 new jobs.

In Lawrenceburg, Indiana, IntraPac Group, a specialty packaging manufacturer, will open a new facility and add 63 new jobs.

Streit USA Armoring, LLC, a maker of armored vehicles, will expand its operation and hire 50 people in Charleston County, South Carolina.

Cummins, Inc, a maker of engines, will expand its research and development center in North Charleston, South Carolina, creating 31 new jobs.

In Vance, Alabama, auto industry parts and service providers Brose and BLG will expand and create 120 new jobs.

TD Bank will expand its corporate operations and create 1,600 new jobs in Greenville and Lexington, South Carolina.

In Gibson County, Indiana, Gibson County Coal, a new mining company, will begin operation and hire 300 people.

CoilPlus, Inc., a maker of flat rolled steel, plans to expand its operation in Guilford County, North Carolina, creating 23 new jobs.

UPS will hire a whopping 55,000 workers to handle the holiday freight workload.

In Lebanon, Missouri, Aero-Tech Laboratory Equipment will open its headquarters and operation, creating 6 new jobs.

PreGel, a maker of ingredients for frozen desserts, will expand its operation in Cabarrus County, North Carolina, adding 48 new jobs.

In Jackson County, Georgia, Bed Bath & Beyond, Inc. will open a new e-commerce fulfillment center, creating 900 new jobs.

Ford Motor Company will upgrade its facility near Kansas City, Missouri and add 1,600 new jobs.

Auto parts maker Kongsberg Automotive will expand its operation in Pickens County, South Carolina, creating 300 new jobs.

Exegistics, a logistics service provider, plans to open a new facility in Jennings County, Indiana, creating 315 new jobs.

In Greenville, South Carolina, Bosch Rexroth, a maker of hydraulics, will expand and hire 160 people.

Honda has announced plans to expand its operation in Lincoln, Alabama, generating 100 new jobs.

Food service company, Puratos, will build a new manufacturing plant in Pennsauken, New Jersey, and hire 40 people.

Food importer and distributor Ferraro Foods of North Carolina, plans to add 23 new jobs in Alamance County.

Shoreline Steel South, a maker of interlocking steel sheet piling, will locate a new manufacturing facility in Frankfort, Kentucky, creating 13 new jobs.

Federal-Mogul Corporation, a supplier of powertrain and safety technology, plans to expand its operation in Logansport, Indiana, creating 100 new jobs. Congratulations to Brand Acceleration client Logansport Economic Development Foundation. Great job, Skip!

In Catawba County, North Carolina, Punker, LLC, a maker of fan wheels for the HVAC industry, will open a new manufacturing plant and hire 80 people.

Vestar Technologies, a maker of specialty metal products, will open a new headquarters and manufacturing facility in Newton County, Georgia, creating 100 new jobs.

In Toledo, Ohio, Chrysler will add a second shift of workers and create 1,105 new jobs.

Gestamp South Carolina, LLC, a maker of auto parts, will expand its facility in Union County, generating 100 new jobs.

In Richmond, Virginia, Health Diagnostics Laboratory, Inc. will expand and create 653 new jobs.

Insurance firms Aflac and Liberty Mutual are hiring 596 and 385 people respectively.

GKN Aerospace, a supplier to the aerospace and aviation industries, will establish a new manufacturing plant in Orangeburg County, South Carolina, creating 250 new jobs.

Spot Freight, a logistics service provider, will expand its headquarters in Indianapolis, Indiana, creating 73 new jobs.

Maritime International, a maker of harbor equipment, will expand its facility in Broussard, Louisiana, creating 90 new jobs.

Auto leasing company Hertz plans to add 4,000 entry-level workers.

In Haywood County, North Carolina, Sonoco Plastics, a maker of consumer and industrial products, will expand and generate 35 new jobs.

Hyundai Power Transformers USA plans to open a new manufacturing plant in Montgomery, Alabama, creating 200 new jobs

In Richmond, Kentucky, GR Spring & Stamping, an auto parts supplier, will expand and add 25 new employees

In Cherokee County, South Carolina, Global Energy Franchise plans to open a new manufacturing plant and hire 200 new employees.

Telecommunications service provider Sprint plans to open a call center in Sullivan County, Tennessee, creating 600 new jobs.

Aircraft electronics maker BAE will add 75 new jobs at its facility in Ft. Wayne, Indiana.

CMS Food Solutions, Inc., a maker of food safety technology, will open a new facility in Brunswick County, North Carolina, generating 52 new jobs.

In Sioux City, Iowa, First Administrators, Inc., a health benefits administrator, will consolidate operations and create 45 new jobs.

Produce supplier Chiquita Brands International will locate its global headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina, generating 400 new jobs.

Total Jobs Announcements: 70,310

Have a wonderful Christmas,

Jim Walton
CEO
Brand Acceleration, Inc.
Branding // Marketing Communications // Public Relations
Indianapolis, Indiana: 317.536.6255
Fax: 317.222.1425
Charlotte, North Carolina: 704.230.0394
Cell: 317.523.7380



Brand Acceleration is a full-service marketing communications, brand management and public relations firm with a focus on economic development, architecture, engineering and construction.

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Differentiate your Place

Differentiate your Place
Promote the warmth of your community

Anyone who knows me knows that I am crazy passionate about deeply understanding target audiences. Whether at a one-on-one meeting or an industry conference, I am the guy who shows up with a long list of questions. They also know that when developing a communications strategy, the Brand Acceleration team always begins with the audience and works backward, developing a message that we know will resonate. We don’t want to talk at them; we want to communicate with them.

Recently, I attended an economic development conference where there was a panel of site selection consultants who were there so that attendees could listen and learn about their selection processes. One of the site selectors commented that community web sites are beginning to look a lot alike, making the differentiation process somewhat challenging. I know the gentleman and invited him to coffee after the presentation. His comments intrigued me and I wanted to know more.

Once we had received our coffees, I asked him what he meant when he said economic development web sites are beginning to look alike. Here is what he told me:

“It’s not just about web sites, Jim. It’s everything. Everyone is so determined to give us (site selectors) all of their data that they often forget that their community is made up of people. Sure, I want to see the data, but I also need evidence that their town has a personality.”

Always ready with the next question, I asked him to elaborate on what he had said. “What do you mean by personality,” I asked. “How can we add more personality to a web site?”

“Again, it’s not just web sites,” he reminded me. “It’s everything. Let me tell you a story. My company was recently contracted by a mid-size firm to find a location for its second assembly plant and distribution center. The new location, when at full capacity, would employ just under a hundred people. Once a location was selected, a small team of middle managers, about six people, would move their families there.

We had done all of the preliminary work, reviewing workforce data, costs of doing business, available incentives and other key factors. With a short list of three communities in hand, a small contingent, including myself, the company president, their CFO and two of the middle managers, hit the road and visited each one. The first two site visits were very predictable. We saw the industrial park, spoke with a few employers, met the mayor and spent a few hours in the economic developer’s office, hearing about what a great place their town was.

The third place was quite different. The economic developer had orchestrated an amazing day for us, introducing us to the people of the community.

We started our day in their industrial park where they had placed string lines on an empty lot, allowing us to visualize our building there. What an effective idea. We then went next door and were introduced to Bob Harkness, the general manager of a plastics company which was about the same size as my client’s prospective plant. Not only did we spend time with this gentleman, asking questions about worker skills and work ethic, we were taken to their production floor and introduced to Angela Garcia, a young woman who had worked her way up to line supervisor in a short three year period. She told us her story, which included the usual glowing comments about her employer and her job. She also told us, in great detail, about how important the company is to the community and how having it there had changed the lives of her friends and family, including her daughter, Carla, who now dreams of being a plastics engineer.

Our next stop was at one of the middle schools. In fact, it’s the school that Carla Garcia, an eighth grader, attends. There, we saw the outstanding learning labs and met with Mrs. Williams, who has been teaching algebra there for more than thirty years. After teaching several generations of students, she has become something of a legend in town. Everyone, it seems, knows her, her husband and their entire family. She gives extra attention to preparing young people with visions of technical skills best suited for jobs in local industries. “I love these kids,” she told us, “I know their families and I want to see them raise their children here.”

We had coffee with the mayor and two other elected officials, followed by a tour of the town’s incubator, where we met a young entrepreneur and heard her story of start-up business ownership, family, community and business success.

After a short rest in our hotel rooms, we were walked two blocks down the street to a bustling pizza parlor, where we met owners, Rick and Abby De Luca. The place wasn’t fancy and it sure wasn’t the typical steak house site selectors are so often taken to. This place is an institution, of sorts. After more than forty years in business, the De Lucas have become as connected to a community as any business owners I’ve ever seen. They sponsor little league baseball teams, high school basketball, middle school choir and just about anything else you could imagine. The walls are lined with plaques and trophies in honor of their community involvement.

As we settled in and waited for our pizza and beer, Rick and Abby joined us at the table right near the front door. I’m convinced the economic developer set this up intentionally. The entire evening was a constant parade of people of all ages stopping by the table to say hello and to talk about this or that community activity. We barely spoke about business. We were the audience and the show was outstanding, as was the pizza.

On our walk back to the hotel, the economic developer, a natural born salesperson, asked each of the company representatives a simple question; “Can you see yourself and your family living here?” There was very little hesitation and the answers were unanimous. “Yes!” The decision was easy. At every stop along the way, the economic developer had put us into contact not only with business-related leaders; he had also brought us together with the heart and soul of the community; its people.”

“What a wonderful story,” I told my site selector friend, “but how can we communicate such a message via a web site or brochure?” “Your company gets it, Jim,” he said. “You guys probably do it better than anyone else. Web sites, brochures and other communications tools need to show how that community is different and that it has personality. We can’t convince people to uproot their families and move to a town just because it has a beautiful new City Hall or because some famous poet lived there a hundred years ago. I want to know why their town is a better place to live and do business than any other place. That can’t be done with a web site or brochure that looks just like everyone else’s. Community is as attitude, not just a cluster of roads and buildings. It’s a bond that people have with one another. When I look at a web site, Facebook page, video, or when I come to visit, I want to feel the warmth that makes the place different and desirable.”

How about you? Are you using your marketing communications tools to promote the warmth of your community? Do your tools convey the spirit that resides in the hearts of your citizens? If not, then maybe we should talk. I’d love to get acquainted and explore how we might give your community’s marketing the emotional boost it needs.

Now it’s your turn. If you have stories, opinions or experiences you’d like to share, leave your comment below. I’d love to hear from you.

Have a wonderful Christmas,

Jim Walton
CEO
Brand Acceleration, Inc.
Branding // Marketing Communications // Public Relations
Indianapolis, Indiana: 317.536.6255
Fax: 317.222.1425
Charlotte, North Carolina: 704.230.0394
Cell: 317.523.7380


Brand Acceleration is a full-service marketing communications, brand management and public relations firm with a focus on economic development, architecture, engineering and construction.

Monday, November 7, 2011

Good Economic News! 11-8-11

Good Economic News!  (11-8-11)


Here are just a few of the positive economic announcements that have come my way over the past two weeks.


Kermit USA, LLC, a manufacturer and distributor of roofing systems, will establish its U.S. headquarters in Muncie, Indiana, creating 70 new jobs. Congrats to economic developers Terry Murphy and Traci Lutton.


In Crisp County, Georgia, Chexar Networks, Inc., a provider of financial risk management services, will expand and create 500 new jobs.


The Doc Depot, Inc., a medical document retrieval service provider, will expand its operation in Barnwell County, South Carolina, creating 50 new jobs.


CTL Packaging USA, a maker of plastic packaging products, will locate its North American headquarters in Gaston County, North Carolina, creating 131 new jobs. Congratulations to Brand Acceleration client Gaston County Economic Development Commission.


Norfolk Southern Corporation, the railroad, has announced plans to hire 500 new employees in eight states.


In Isle of Wight, Virginia, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc. will establish a production and distribution facility and create 800 new jobs.


GE Aviation has broken ground on a new jet engine factory in Auburn, Alabama and is expected to hire 400 people.


In Wentzville, Missouri, General Motors Corporation will expand its workforce, adding 1,260 new jobs to accommodate the production of the new Chevrolet Colorado pick-up truck.


In Warrick County, Indiana, AFCO Racing Products, a manufacturer of parts for the auto racing industry, will expand its operation, creating 61 new jobs. Congrats to Brand Acceleration client Success Warrick County. Great job Larry and Matt.


In Montgomery County, North Carolina, fruit and vegetable processor Aseptia, Inc. will locate a manufacturing facility and hire 75 people.


Viacom, Inc., an entertainment industry company, will establish a new operation in Williamson County, Tennessee, creating 100 new jobs.


EAC Corporation, a supplier of metals, will expand its operation in Kokomo, Indiana, hiring 15 people. Congrats to Brand Acceleration client Greater Kokomo Economic Development Alliance.


Zurn Industries, a maker of plumbing products, has announced plans to expand in Sanford County, North Carolina, creating 38 new jobs.


Mullican Flooring, a maker of hardwood flooring, will relocate all manufacturing operations to Johnson City, Tennessee, creating 164 new jobs.


In Ripley County, Indiana, Concepts Industrial Asset Disposal, Inc., a buyer and seller of heavy industrial machinery, will expand and hire 25 new employees.

In Sequatchie County, Tennessee, MANN+HUMMEL USA, an equipment supplier to the automotive and mechanical engineering industries, will locate a new facility and hire 150 production workers.


Anacomp, a document and business process management company, will locate a new facility in Somerset, Kentucky, creating 200 new jobs.


Nephron Pharmaceuticals Corporation will locate a new operation in Lexington County, South Carolina, creating 707 new jobs.


In Jackson County, Indiana, automotive supplier Aisin Drivetrain, Inc. plans to expand and create 40 new jobs. Congrats to economic developer Jim Plump.


Home improvement retailer The Home Depot has announced plans to expand its online operation in Kennesaw, Georgia, creating 700 new jobs.


In Indianapolis, Indiana, mobile event and media producer LiTEBOX, Inc. will establish its headquarters and a production and manufacturing facility, creating 1,100 new jobs.


In Elizabethtown, Kentucky, Flex Films will open a new manufacturing plant, creating 250 new jobs.


Pharmavite, a vitamin and dietary supplement maker, has broken ground on its new manufacturing and distribution facility where it will create 280 new jobs.


In Hendricks County, Indiana, Nolan Security, a provider of private security services, will expand and create 300 new jobs. Congratulations to Brand Acceleration CLIENT Hendricks County Economic Development Partnership. Great job, Cinda!


Sasco Safety, a maker of highway safety products, will establish a new facility in Barnwell County, South Carolina, creating 25 new jobs.


In Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Brose Tuscaloosa, a maker of seat structures and door systems for the auto industry, will expand and create 80 new jobs.


In Ohio County, Indiana, a new 100-room hotel will be developed, creating 30 new jobs. Congrats to economic developer Lane Siekman.


In Clarendon County, South Carolina, Alucoil America Corporation, a maker of metal composite materials, will open a new facility, creating 18 new jobs.


Orthman Manufacturing Company, a maker of farm implements, will expand its operation in Lexington, Nebraska, creating 100 new jobs.


In Indiana, Verizon Wireless is planning to hire 60 new employees statewide.


In Richland County, South Carolina, Sensor Electronic Technology, Inc., a maker of ultraviolet LEDs, will expand and create 150 new jobs.


Jim Walton
CEO
Brand Acceleration, Inc.
Branding // Marketing Communications // Public Relations
Indianapolis, Indiana: 317.536.6255
Fax: 317.222.1425
Charlotte, North Carolina: 704.230.0394
Cell: 317.523.7380


Brand Acceleration is a full-service marketing communications, branding and public relations firm which focuses on economic development, architecture, engineering and construction.


















America was There

America was There
Remember our veterans and active military personnel
 
 
By Jim Walton
CEO, Brand Acceleration, Inc.

On Friday, we will once again observe a very important holiday in the United States. Veteran’s Day, for many, will be just another day on the calendar – another Friday. For me, it’s a special day of remembrance. Each year, on the eleventh day of the eleventh month, the United States honors our military veterans, special people who served, fought and died for our freedom and for the freedom of countless millions worldwide.

Throughout history, the world has seen dictators brutalize their own people and the people of other nations in order to expand their dreams of regional and global domination. While other nations have experienced brutal regimes such as Mao (40 million dead), Hitler (34 million dead), Stalin (20 million dead), Hussein (1 million+ dead) and Gaddhafi (thousands or more dead), the United States of America has been the shining light of freedom for more than 235 years.

In places like Germany, Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq and others, our service men and women have been there, willing to pay the price for freedom. Visions of the people of Paris and the liberation of Iraq are still vivid in the minds of many.

In times of trouble, we are the first to come forward with supplies, medical support, money and military support. As much as our enemies would love to position us as imperialists, we have never gone to war for the purpose of expansion.

What does this have to do with branding, you ask? Plenty. As a friend of freedom and a defender of the hurting and oppressed, the United States has become the global economic and military leader that every country desires to emulate. This is the brand reputation that each of us, as citizens of this great place, enjoys.

Many of our service members have returned home with serious physical and/or emotional injury. Unlike wars of the past, we have learned to do a much better job of helping our veterans and their families to recover from the ravages of war. I’m especially impressed with such organizations as the Wounded Warrior Project and the Children of Fallen Soldiers Relief Fund.

Whether you agree with such groups as Occupy Wall Street or the Tea Party, I believe we should be thankful that we live in a nation where we are free to openly express our opinions. The U.S. Constitution guarantees our freedom of speech, assuring varying points of view may be expressed.



In the 1982 photo shown above, Joseph Ambrose, an 86-year-old World War One veteran, holds the folded flag that covered the casket of his son who was killed in the Korean War. The expression on his face is so moving. It’s the same pride and pains expressed by so many whose loved ones have given so much for so many.

The images and memories of those men and women whom have served in times of war and peace are part of the indelible brand we know as America.

So, on this special day, please fly you American flag and say thank-you to a veteran or active service military personnel.

They do it all for you.
Jim Walton
CEO
Brand Acceleration, Inc.
Branding // Marketing Communications // Public Relations
Indianapolis, Indiana: 317.536.6255
Fax: 317.222.1425
Charlotte, North Carolina: 704.230.0394
Cell: 317.523.7380


Brand Acceleration is a full-service marketing communications, branding and public relations firm which focuses on economic development, architecture, engineering and construction.

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Good Economic News! (10-25-11)

Good Economic News! (10-25-11)
Here are just a few of the positive economic announcements that have come my way in recent weeks:

Sequenom, Inc., a healthcare services company, will build a diagnostics laboratory in Wake County, North Carolina and create 242 new jobs.

Ford Motor Company plans to expand its Chicagoland facilities and add a third shift at its Chicago Assembly plant, adding 1,200 new jobs.

NK Newlook, a manufacturer of store fixtures and retail interiors, will locate a new manufacturing and distribution facility in Barnwell County, South Carolina, creating 212 new jobs.

In Jacksonville, Florida, The Bruss Company will create a meat processing center and hire 200 people.

Kronos, Inc., a workforce management solutions provider, will open a new office in Indianapolis, Indiana, creating 250 new jobs.

In Galax, Virginia, Albany Industries, Inc., a maker of upholstered household furniture, will establish a new facility, creating 335 new jobs.

In Tipton County, Indiana, Bottcher America Corporation, a manufacturer of printing and industrial materials, will expand and add 35 new jobs. Congratulations to Linda Williamson, economic developer for Tipton County.

Backcountry.com, an online specialty retailer, will establish a fulfillment center in Montgomery County, Virginia, creating 200 new jobs.

In Robertson County, Tennessee, Electrolux Major Appliances North America will expand its manufacturing facility and create 75 new jobs.

Burns and McDonnell, an engineering, architecture, construction, environmental and consulting services firm, will expand and create 1,000 jobs companywide.

In Hanson, Kentucky, Carhartt, Inc., a maker of clothing, plans to add 150 new employees to its existing operation.

Ford Motor Company will invest in its Kentucky Truck Plant and add a third shift at its Louisville Assembly Plant, adding 1,800 new jobs.

The following companies have job openings for the 2011 holiday season:
Aeropostale: 2,000+
A.M. Castle: 50+
Ann Taylor/LOFT: 3,000 to 5,000
APAC Customer Service: 250
Dial America: 1,000
Diamond National Adjusting: 50
Helzburg Diamonds: 100+
Headway Workforce Solutions: 11,000+
Massage Envy: 2,500
Medcor, Inc.: 50
The Men’s Wearhouse: 70+
The Salvation Army: 80+
Rue 21: 100+
Sleepy’s LLC: 100+
Spencer Gifts: 20,000

In northern Kentucky, Johnson Controls, Inc. will expand its automotive battery operation, creating 45 new jobs.

In Greenville County, South Carolina, Honeywell International, Inc., a provider of repair services for propulsion engines, will expand and create 30 new jobs.

CANBERRA Industries, Inc., a developer and manufacturer of radiation detection products, will expand its facility in Oak Ridge, Tennessee and add 45 new jobs.

In Frankfort, Indiana, LEP Special Fasteners, Inc., a maker of specialty steel fasteners, plans to open a new facility and create 160 new jobs.

Linamar Corporation, a maker of automotive parts and components, plans to expand its operation in northern Kentucky and create 138 new jobs.

In Peachtree City, Georgia, SANY Heavy Industry, LLC, a maker of cranes and lifting equipment, will add a research and development center and hire 300 engineering jobs.

MetriCan, a supplier of tooling and stamped metal components, plans to expand its facility in Dickson, Tennessee, creating 60 new jobs.

Vehicle maker Mercedes-Benz will add a new truck model at its Vance, Alabama assembly plant in early 2015, creating 400 new jobs.

Hitachi Automotive Systems, a supplier to the automotive industry, will establish an electric vehicle battery production operation in Harrodsburg, Kentucky, creating 60 new jobs.

YH America South Carolina LLC, a maker of automotive components, will expand its operation in Pickens County, South Carolina and add 93 new jobs.

Wholesale lender TMS Funding will add 30 account executives companywide.

In Columbus, Indiana, fastener manufacturer Sunright America, Inc. will expand its operation and create 100 new jobs.

In Lebanon, Kentucky, Montibello Packaging will expand its plant and create 26 new jobs.

Customer call center Sitel will hire 120 temporary workers at its Covington County, Alabama facility. 75 will become permanent.

Crown Equipment Corporation, a manufacturer of materials handling equipment, will expand its operation in New Castle, Indiana, creating 150 new jobs.

In Glasgow, Kentucky, Fortis Manufacturing, a maker of tooling and stampings, will locate a new manufacturing facility and create 100 new jobs.

First Coast Services Options, a Medicare Administrative Contractor, is expanding in Jacksonville, Florida, creating 400 jobs.

TOTAL JOBS ANNOUNCEMENTS: 48,406 to 50,406

We receive numerous announcements each week that announce that several jobs have been “retained or created.” While retention is important, we will not use announcements that fail to define exactly how many jobs were retained and how many were created. We want specifics.
If you have jobs announcements, please send them my way.  jim@brandaccel.com

Brand Acceleration is a full-service marketing communications, brand management and public relations firm operating from Indianapolis, Indiana and Charlotte, North Carolina. The agency’s focus is on economic development, architecture, engineering and construction (AEC).

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Who Owns the Jobs, Anyway?

Who Owns the Jobs, Anyway?
It’s a simple trade relationship

By Jim Walton
CEO, Brand Acceleration, Inc.
Indianapolis and Charlotte

Recently, I met a young man who, for the first time in his life, is self-employed. A custom cabinet maker, he specializes in high-end cabinetry for homes, offices and commercial buildings. Curious, I asked, “How did you come to be self-employed?” “I was fired,” he told me. “Because of the economy?” I asked. “No, it was because of my laziness and bad attitude, but I’ve learned a lot since being on my own.” “Really,” I asked, “like what?”

He told me that he had been employed by another cabinet company for several years and that he had become overconfident, self-absorbed and arrogant about his own value. When his employer didn’t place him on the pedestal he felt he deserved, above his co-workers, he became sullen, angry and lazy. After several months and a few heart-to-heart talks, his employer asked his to leave.

“So, what was the biggest lesson you learned from being fired?” I asked. “I learned that the job didn’t belong to me,” he said. “It belonged to my employer.”

He explained that, as an employee, he failed to understand the terms of his employment, or anyone else’s employment. Here’s how he explained it: “When anyone accepts a job, it’s not something that is given to him or her, it’s a trade arrangement. The employee is expected to show up every day, on time, work hard and do great work. The employer will then provide a pay check and competitive benefits in return. If each party honors the terms of the agreement, all will be well. When one party underperforms, breaking the promise, the deal is subject to termination.”

I was thoroughly impressed. This young man had had a revelation, but I was curious about his sudden awakening. When fired for lack of performance, employees usually just go away mad and blame the boss. “What was your moment of clarity?” I asked. “What made you suddenly see that you were the problem?”

“Because I couldn’t find another job,” he said, “I decided to take on some cabinetry work on my own. I had the tools and skills, so I decided to go for it. It was a very scary endeavor. I was fortunate that my wife had a job and we had saved a few dollars. We risked it all. Things went well and I eventually had to hire an employee. Having to deal with payroll, benefits, vacations, customer expectations, taxes, two trucks and a wife and child, I learned what it was like on the other side of the employee-employer equation.”

“Looking back,” I asked, “how do you now view your previous employer?” “I would have fired me, too,” he said. “The job didn’t belong to me. It belonged to him and I disrespected my agreement with him. I broke the promise. If I had been a better employee, I would probably still be there.”

Over the past few months, I’ve attended several economic development conferences where workforce has been a presentation topic. A common theme at each conference has been about worker skills and work ethic. Even though education and training are sometimes lacking, employers are frustrated by employees who are just unwilling to show up and do the work. “In addition to laziness,” an owner of a placement firm, said, “there’s a very significant sense of entitlement out there. People expect high wages and extensive benefits from day one, and then they might consider giving the employer a day’s work. The real world just doesn’t work that way. People need to wise up.”

What I heard at these conferences was that there are numerous jobs out there for skilled workers who are willing to show up (on time), work hard and become a valuable asset to their employee.

So, back to my cabinet maker friend, here’s what I asked next. “What advice would you give someone looking for, or in, a job?” After a few moments of pondering, he said, “Without getting into the employers responsibilities to employees, which are significant, I’d make these recommendations:

1. Understand that it’s a mutually agreed upon trade relationship.
2. Clearly understand the expectations of your employer.
3. Show up on time, every day. Be completely reliable.
4. Work your butt off (His words).
5. Always, always, always over-delivered.
6. Get better. Take classes or find other ways to bring more value to the relationship.
7. Be a positive force rather than a whiner
8. Be a problem solver, not a problem.”

This guy amazed me. His experiences have transformed him. He has gone from a lazy (his word), complaining malcontent to a self-employed, happy, hard-working employer, service provider, husband and father. He takes great pride in his work, even though the hours are long and the demands are great. I found his respect for the “trade relationship” to be very refreshing. If each of us were to remember that and follow his recommendations, I’m sure workplace contentment and productivity would soar.

Have a great week,
Jim Walton

Brand Acceleration is a full-service marketing communications, brand management and public relations firm operating from Indianapolis, Indiana and Charlotte, North Carolina. The agency’s focus is on economic development, architecture, engineering and construction.

Monday, October 10, 2011

Good Economic News 10-11-11

Good Economic News!

Here are just a few of the positive economic announcements that have come my way in recent weeks:

Hem Southeast, a metal working firm, plans to expand its operation in Greenwood County, South Carolina, adding 10 new jobs.

Advanced manufacturer Elastrix will open a new facility in Pilot Mountain, North Carolina and hire 54 people.

Nylon producer Ascend Performance will improve its facility in Pansacola, Florida and hire 100 new employees.

In Grayslake, Illinois, FedEx has opened a new packaging facility and expects to hire 450 new employees.

Dominion Chemical Company, a maker of wax products, will open a new manufacturing facility in Dougherty County, Georgia, creating 10 new jobs.

The Sherwin-Williams Company, a maker of paint products, plans to expand its headquarters in Cleveland, Ohio, adding 110 new jobs.

In Darlington County, South Carolina, JBE, Inc., a supplier to the automotive, aerospace and lawn and garden industrie add 20 new employees.

Indiana-based engine maker Cummins, Inc. says it will add 7,000 engineers worldwide.

In Goshen, Indiana, furniture maker Wieland Designs, Inc. will expand its operation and add 120 new employees.

National Solar Power, a developer of solar farms, will create 20 facilities in Gadsden County, Florida and hire 120 employees.

In Dillon County, South Carolina, Dillon Furniture Manufacturing Company plans to expand its operation and generate 107 new jobs.

Ace Hardware Corporation has announced plans to establish a new re-distribution center in Suffolk, Virginia, adding 75 new jobs.

Sakae Riken Kogyo Company, a maker of plastic parts, will expand its facility in Peru, Illinois and add 25 new jobs.

In Carroll County, Georgia, Greenway Medical Technologies, a provider of electronic health records, will expand its headquarters and add 400 new jobs.

Universal Trade Solutions, Inc. plans to open a new manufacturing, warehouse and distribution facility in Orangeburg County, South Carolina, creating 100 new jobs.

Pest control company Terminix is presently showing 962 available positions.

Carbures LLC, a maker of carbon fiber composite structures, will establish a new facility in Greenville, South Carolina, creating 50 new jobs.

Sunright America, Inc., a manufacturer of automotive fasteners, will expand its operation in Columbus, Indiana, creating 100 new jobs.

Siemens Wind Turbine has announced plans for four new energy projects in Ontario, Canada, creating 600 new jobs.

Food service and facilities management firm Aramark presently has 389 available positions.

Cooper Standard, a supplier of systems and components for the automotive industry, will expand its operation in Goldsboro, North Carolina and hire 137 people.

In Hart County, Georgia, Fabritex, Inc., a metal fabricator, will expand and add 15 new jobs.

In Sumter County, South Carolina, Continental Tire the Americas has announced plans to build a new tire manufacturing facility and add 1,700 new jobs.

Vail Rubber Works plans to build a plant in Mobile County, Alabama, creating 6 new jobs.

At its aircraft service plant near Tucson, Arizona, Bombardier has boosted its workforce by 116.

Discount retailer Dollar General presently has 971 positions available systemwide.

CertainTeed Corporation, a maker of building materials, plans to expand its facility in Roaring River, North Carolina, adding 29 new jobs.

In Watertown, South Dakota, operator cab maker Angus-Palm will expand and add 140 new jobs.

Retailer Sears Roebuck is presently seeking 2,712 people to fill available positions.

In Huntsville, Alabama, Toyota Motor Manufacturing Alabama has added four-cylinder engines to its product lineup, adding 240 new jobs.

TOTAL JOBS ANNOUNCEMENTS: 16,868

We receive numerous announcements each week that announce that several jobs have been “retained or created.” While retention is important, we will not use announcements that fail to define exactly how many jobs were retained and how many were created. We want specifics.
If you have jobs announcements, please send them my way.  jim@brandaccel.com


Brand Acceleration is a full-service marketing communications, brand management and public relations firm operating from Indianapolis, Indiana and Charlotte, North Carolina. The agency’s focus is on economic development, architecture, engineering and construction (AEC).