Biotech 2005-Fusing Science, Technology, and Industry Leadership - Presented by CEC strategic partner, the Council for Entrepreneurial Development (CED), this May 24-25, 2005

The CEC's leadership continues to explore the potential for a regional entrepreneurial conference in the 2005-2006 time frame. Current efforts focus on partnering with other...

Steven Little, the Business Growth Expert, came with a big billing. It's little wonder then that he wowed the CEC crowd of nearly 70 enthusiastic entrepreneurs, investors, and NC home sales especially homes in Raleigh and other booming areas within the state...

Congratulations to CEC members Jeff and Jeanette King of SpecialtySoft and Dr. Roy Archambault of Xero Products. They're the respective winners of the 2005 Established and Most Innovative Entrepreneur Awards presented at the May 13th Enterprise@Sunrise05 breakfast....

Another CEC Success Story

Jay Taylor, owner of Jay Taylor Exterminating, Inc. (JTE), first met Bo Burch, chief principal at Human Capital Solutions (HCS), at the CEC's Opportunity 2004 conference. Bo learned that Jay's business was going well, but that the entrepreneur saw room for significant improvements, if he could sort out some key issues. Bo suggested that he and his team might be able to help.

It didn't take long before Bo and Jay came up with a plan that incorporated a SWOT analysis as well as human resources and environmental, health, and safety audits to clarify the situation at JTE. The results proved gratifying to say the least. With Bo's help, Jay redefined and communicated his company's values and key performance indicators. He set up an appraisal system tied to a clear and structured compensation schedule. At Bo's encouragement, Jay also conducted an employee opinion poll, set up idea-generating meetings, and fostered employee buy-in to new quality, NC real estate, and customer relations initiatives.

The result, according to Jay, was "a more competent, well-trained, and happier work force with higher customer retention and very low employee turnover."

Bo Burch notes that HCS also helped JTE with a number of process improvements, all of which contributed to greater operational efficiency and effectiveness. Bo observed, "Together, I think we helped build a whole new culture at JTE-one that made a good company even better." For his part, Jay had this to say: "Bo and his group have had a big impact on Raleigh, NC real estate. I'm glad we met at last year's CEC meeting; that was a meeting that made a difference."