TAB, January, 2010
State of Our Organization
2009 has been a very strong year for our organization. We have grown in membership significantly and this success has come more from member referrals, strategic alliances and referrals from other professionals than from traditional marketing. We have made great leaps in our educational offerings and have also brought on a highly respected consultant as a new Facilitator.
Current members who have joined us in 2009
Steve Barckley, Asphalt Medix
Pete Bartholomew, Bergen Cable
Howard Bielski, Bielski and Bielski
Peter Borbas, Borbas Surveying and Mapping
Gary Branning, Managed Market Resources
Cathy Coloff, IT-Radix
John Czarecki, Intex Door Systems
Andrew Duke, Metrographics
Ray Fernandez, Bridge Marina
David Gill, Gill Associates
Rhonda Greenapple, Reimbursement Intelligence
Brad Keating, KB Ingredients
Chip Reichhard, Sandler Training
Marc Rothenberg, Intercept Silver and Jewelry
Joshi Santosh, envision Systems
Mark Serao, Grey Sky Films
Hal Simoff, Simoff Engineering
Deborah Smith, DNS Consulting
Cindy Sullivan, Certified Valuations
Lee Wasserman, LEW Corporation
Expanded Staff
Chris Lipper has been a tremendous addition to our family. Chris was an original member of my first board for four years. He joined us as a TAB Facilitator and he is currently running two boards. He has also spearheaded business development efforts that have contributed significantly to our growth this year.
Arthur Amdurer has been a TAB Facilitator for us since February of 2005. Most of the original members of his board are still together and we have recently added two new members to his Board.
Ken Drossman has recently joined our organization as a TAB Facilitator. Like Chris, Ken was a TAB member a few years back. Ken helped sell the company he was running to a multinational organization and then formed Lakeview Business Consulting, an organization serving small and medium business owners.
A New TAB Offering
Chris successfully kicked off a new board specifically for businesses with only a handful of employees and revenues typically less than $500K. Absent ongoing private coaching, our assumption was that this would be more of a structured educational program. It became immediately clear that participants wanted and would benefit more from facilitated discussions among peers with individual goals and accompanying accountability. In short, what TAB does best.
More tools
We now have a full range of organizational and financial diagnostics being incorporated into the TAB process. TAB Business Vantage, the assessment which provides a detailed breakdown of your company’s relative strengths and weaknesses can now be taken by your entire management team. This helps to ensure that you are all on the same page. In addition, Strategic Business Leadership (SBL), which is the comprehensive personal and business strategic planning tool, is now available to be conducted on-line. This is being used more and more for 2010 goal-setting.
We can now also help conduct a range of internal surveys that assess the company overall as well as individual executives.
Our objectives for 2009 – how we did and goals for 2010
Our goal for 2009 was to have at least one additional TAB Board and break the 50 member mark. Our strategy for this was:
Member Acquisition – As of December 21, we are at 47 members. This is tremendous growth from where we were a year ago which was 32 members. We are a few short of our goal of 50 members but expect to be there very shortly.
2010 goal – 60 members
Retention – Our 2009 goal was 90% retention. We fell short of this as there was some turnover in the beginning of the year that impacted this goal. I was pleased to see that this year again our territory was recognized as having one of the higher levels of member retention. With increased offerings, education and Facilitator depth, I’d like to keep this goal intact.
2010 goal - 90% retention.
Education –
Our goal was to hold seven non-TAB meeting educational events. We exceeded this. Our ongoing Lunch’ n Learn sessions have been a tremendous success. We’ve offered programs on:
· sales
· legal issues
· human resources
· private and public financing
· Time as Commitment
The “Time Management” program was held in conjunction with surrounding TAB Facilitators and drew over 90 attendees. We also provided follow up sessions to insure full impact.
At our annual Member appreciation event in March we also had four expert speakers and will replicate that again in 2010.
2010 goal – at least seven educational member events.
Some other good stuff
Top Tier status
In 2009, our TAB territory was recognized as among the top 12 in all of the TAB’s 147 franchises in the US, Canada, South America and England. This reflects our depth of membership and, well, you all! THANK YOU!
Affinity Partnership with the Morris County Chamber of Commerce
The MCCC is the strongest single county chamber in the state. As an affinity partner, the Chamber recognizes us and promotes us as a trusted resource for its members. They only have 5 such outside partners.
Leadership Programs for Key Managers
One of our signature offerings has been Facilitated Peer Training (FPT) programs for key managers. We focus on leadership skills for all levels, from recently promoted managers to “second in command” executives. We will be adding a third group in February.
So thank you all. There are bigger and better things ahead for us all and we are so privileged to be able to participate in everyone’s individual and collective growth.
Bob Zelnick
January 3, 2010