In speech to the small business community, Kevin Flemming recommends cooperation & collaboration during economic crisis
From L to R - Kevin Flemming, President, Integrity Personnel; Donna Braden with her granddaughter (winner in the 1 to 25 employee category); Marta Gabriel, COO, The Chamber; Dennis Boyne, President, Boyne Computer Services and Chair of the Excellence In Business Award Committee.
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Bethlehem, PA June 19, 2009 - Kevin Flemming, the President of Integrity Personnel, Inc., delivered the keynote speech at the 22nd Annual Excellence in Business Awards breakfast held at the Best Western Lehigh Valley Hotel and Conference Center. The award is presented to small businesses that demonstrate excellence in both their industry and market.
Flemming gave a light-hearted commentary of the state of the economy and how it impacts small businesses in the Lehigh Valley and nationally. Recognizing that 90% of the more than 15,000 employers located in the Lehigh Valley are classified as small businesses, he explained that our local economy is uniquely positioned to manage the current economic downturn.
In a mockingly serious tone, Flemming opened by telling the audience that he could no longer keep a secret from them. After a pause, he said “…I’m afraid that we’re in a recession” He then illustrated the duality of small businesses’ vulnerability and strength in weak economies.
“On one hand, small businesses are the least capable of weathering prolonged downturns because [by their nature] they have limited financial resources. However, they have a great competitive advantage by being highly flexible. We can change our processes, or policies, and even our products on a dime.” This, he said, is how the Lehigh Valley economy was able to rebound more quickly than other markets after the last recession.
Flemming closed his talk by suggesting to the business owners in the audience that they begin to look at alternative methods for acquiring resources. “Rather than being overly competitive with one another, we should find more ways to cooperate.” He explained that a flexible approach with vendors and professional services enables a small business to add resources without increasing their fixed overhead. Examples of this approach are becoming more common as businesses begin to delegate internal operations to outside partners or existing suppliers, enabling them to reduce costs until revenues recover.
Two companies were presented with the 2009 Excellence in Business Award at the breakfast. Jack’s Glass, Inc. was recognized for the 1-25 employee category, while Vistacom, Inc. won for the 26-100 employee category. Both companies’ founders were present to accept the award from Flemming and members of the GLVCC Small Business Council.
This is the third year that Integrity Personnel has sponsored the Excellence in Business Awards which are presented by the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce.
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