|
Click to read "Michigan 50: Vital contributors to state's economy", by
Jennifer M. Granholm
"Sustaining a good business can be easy when you have good people who are all obsessed with success." -Jeffrey T. Bennett, President
|
Snapshot: One of the fastest growing information-technology staffing companies in the country with a rapidly expanding list of Fortune 500 clients, OtterBase Technical Services, Inc. (OtterBase) was self-funded with cash advances on credit cards. Today the company is thriving, says Bennett, thanks to its unique corporate culture.
Beating the Competition: Like many entrepreneurs, the founders came from the industry and believed that on a level playing field, surrounded with employees who were capable of caring, "We could out-smart and out-work the competition," Bennett says. "This philosophy turned out to be a long-term competitive advantage."
Steady Growth: "Our growth has been steady and significant since our inception in 1998," Bennett says. "Every week, month, year, new employee, new training program, new client, company meeting, enhancement to our strategic plan - each was a turning point toward growth."
Duty over Job: Bennett says one of OtterBase's special strengths is that its corporate culture has always delivered a competitive advantage. "We strive to teach each other through accountability, confrontation, team problem-solving and leading by example." Bennett says OtterBase has also created a true sense of duty over job responsibility. "One's ability to be promoted depends almost solely on their ability to put the members of their team and the company before their own interests," he says.
Unique Contributions: OtterBase's community service and charitable contributions vary from its most recent employee-matched donation for the Tsunami Response Fund, to sponsoring local families for every holiday throughout the year. "Our contributions are unique and generally guided by our employees' excitement for a particular cause," Bennett says.
Encouraging Criticism: One of the biggest obstacles Bennett has faced is inviting employees to be critical "of the company you've come to love," he says. "[It's] not easy." Bennett also worries that he is unable to reach each employee every day to share his vision. As a result, "you must find ways to teach your managers to deliver that same message in their own way," he says.
Getting the Message Right: The key to sustained growth for OtterBase "comes from first delivering a precise message and then getting everyone to row the boat in that direction at the same time," says Bennett. "What's important is how we continue to deliver that message and who is rowing. Sustaining a good business can be easy when you have good people who are all obsessed with success."
Passion, Diligence, Humility: The management practice Bennett is most proud of is the promotion of passion, diligence, and humility, better known as P.D.H. within OtterBase. "We use P.D.H. to sign off every internal memo or e-mail [message]," he says. "P.D.H. reminds us of our common goal to fill our vision with passion, serve our clients through diligence, and display sincere humility all along the way."
|
