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).

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

jim@brandaccel.com

www.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.

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

www.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).

Customer (Dis) Service and Your Brand

Customer (Dis) Service and Your Brand
Your actions speak louder than words

It seems there is a serious disconnect between advertising messages and reality when it comes to the way customers are treated. In their ads, companies love to tout how much they love their customers, implying that they really do care about them. The reality however, is often radically different. Their employees are often not trained in the ever-important art of making customers feel loved.

I was recently in a line of over 20 customers at an airport car rental facility where there were only three agents on duty, and two of them were talking on the telephone. Customers were especially irritated by the fact that there were about twelve computers where no agents were working. Like most travelers, I was in a hurry to get on the road and get to my first meeting of the day. I didn’t appreciate being ignored and neither did the guy behind me. After grumbling to me about the serious lack of service, he shouted, “Does anyone work here?” The other customers were shocked at his brazenness, but a spontaneous round of applause broke out, telling the agents that their customers were not happy. I’m not going to say which rental car company it was but I will say that no one was “trying harder” to make customers happy.

In another recent experience, due to a change in our Customer Service Management (CRM) software, my company was forced to swap out some of our cell phones because they wouldn’t interface with the new software. After a short discussion with a store representative who was not empowered to make customers happy, we ended up on the phone with one of their reps who made it clear that they were not going to waive the rather expensive buyout of our phones….period! We tried to stay with this company and reminded the representative that we had been a loyal customer for more than 23 years and just needed to make a few equipment changes. The answer was unequivocal. No!

From there, we went to one of their competitors and met with Tawana, a wonderful young lady who listened to our needs and meticulously switched over our entire company account and set up each and every phone. It took several hours, but when we left, every new device worked perfectly. Wow, was that refreshing!

In his most recent book, Collapse of Distinction, my good friend, Scott McKain, an outstanding speaker, trainer and author, states, "If you cannot find it within yourself to become emotional, committed, engaged, and yes, fervent about differentiation, then you had better be prepared to take your place among that vast throng of the mediocre who are judged by their customers solely on the basis of price. It is the singularly worst place to be in all of business. If you aren't willing to create distinction for yourself in your profession--and for your organization in the marketplace--then prepare to take your seat in the back, with the substantial swarm of the similar, where tedium reigns supreme." I recently heard Scott speak at the Society for Marketing Professional Services (SMPS) conference and, as usual, he thrilled the audience and left them inspired to be even better than they already are. After several months, I still hear attendees quoting him.

I especially enjoyed a story that Scott shared about an experience that musician Dave Carroll had with United Airlines. In his video, “United Breaks Guitars,” Carroll openly protests the poor customer service experience he and his band had on a United flight. For people who don’t have the ability to create great videos like this, there are company web sites and public sites such as Yelp.com where customers, both happy and unhappy, can voice their opinions.

In the hotel industry, the clear leader in outstanding customer service is The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company. It is common knowledge throughout the industry that their customer service is stellar and that the reason for their well-deserved reputation is the training of their employees. Their motto, “Ladies and Gentlemen serving Ladies and Gentlemen,” sets the tone for the empowerment given each and every employee, allowing them to do anything required to make customers happy. In his book, “The New Gold Standard,” Joseph A. Michelli describes the leadership principles of this great company. We can all learn from the example set by this market leader.

As a branding, marketing communications and public relations firm, we are often contacted by companies or communities requesting a “new brand.” From experience, we know that what they usually mean is that they want a new logo. In my opinion, your brand and your reputation are one and the same. If you treat customers well, meet or exceed their expectations and show them some appreciation, your brand will be strong. If not, you will have a serious problem that a new logo or slogan cannot change.

I could go on and on, sharing countless customer service experiences, both good and bad, but I’d like to hear from you. Feel free to share your experiences and stories about how you deliver outstanding service, allowing others to learn and improve. Thank you.

Have a great week,

Jim Walton

CEO

jim@brandaccel.com

www.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).