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Sprockets
Think of our blog as a window where you can see what's new with us, our clients and the demand creation world we operate in. To close the loop between advertising and sales, we find ourselves in interesting places: cornfields, laboratories, retail stores, bank lobbies and more. Enjoy our tales. Be sure to share yours.

Category Archives: Office

Supporting Men’s Health,
Face To Face.

 

Last night may have been Halloween, but a lot of folks here at Technekes will begin changing their appearances today.

That’s right – November 1 marks the first day of “Movember,” a month long campaign to raise funds and awareness for men’s health issues. Men (and women) around the country and in our very own offices will be putting aside their razors to support LIVESTRONG and the Prostate Cancer Foundation.

According to CNN, “So far, Americans have raised $7.5 million for Movember. Worldwide, participants have raised $174 million, which, according to Movember, makes the group the largest nongovernment funder of prostate cancer research in the world.”

As the month goes on, we’ll try to capture some pix of your formerly clean (and not-to-clean) shaven team members. And in the meantime, if you’d like to contribute to the cause, visit movember.com/donate/.

And step away from that razor, Mo Bros and Mo Sistas. It’s all in good fun, but more important, it’s all for a good cause.

Bright Minds And Bright Futures

 

Although the Class of 2012 won’t enter the job market for quite a few months, inside sales director Kristin Terdik and recruiter Linda Ceriello are already planning ahead. They’re working to identify and develop career and internship opportunities for neighboring NC State University students and grads with an Advisory Board including:

  • Marcy Bullock, Director of Career Services
  • Ron Campbell Ph.D., International AgriBusiness Law /Advanced AgriBusiness Law
  • Jim Flowers Ph.D., Department Head, Department of Agriculture and Extension Education
  • Arnie Oltmans Ph.D., Associate Professor, Agricultural and Resource Economics
  • Fred Parker, Assistant Professor – Agricultural and Resource Economics
  • Jonathan Phillips M.S., Senior Lecturer, Human Resources and Economics
  • John Russ, Ph.D, Lecturer – Agricultural and Resource Economics
  • Guido van der Hoeven M.S., Extension Specialist/Senior Lecturer
  • W. Edward Weems, Permanent Lecturer, Marketing, MIE, ARE

“Our goal is to prepare students with what is needed in the employment market. I am glad we had the time to discuss mutual concerns, issues and opportunities as classes kick off this week,” said van der Hoeven.

The group met yesterday for their (6th) annual luncheon to discuss an upcoming open house for students and professors, hosted by Technekes, titled “Career Preparation In An Unstable Job Market.”   Linda and Kristin were spurred on by Professor Phillips, who said, “With its own library and constant employee improvement programs; Technekes is a practical training ground nestled in a desirable work environment with upward mobility.”

Technekes also earned high marks from Dr. Campbell, “Your company is on the cutting edge of many advances in the field and is earning a strong reputation.”

Thanks, professors!  We’d blush — but we’ve got to get back to work, so we can live up to your kind words!

Looking Ahead: Our Integrated Marketing Strategy Team.

Technekes is pleased to announce that Ben Gilman, previously our technical team leader, has taken on a new and visionary challenge, co-leading technology enablement for our (IMS) Integrated Marketing Strategy team.

The IMS team is charged with leading the way in 2011, providing both our company and clients with a broader, more forward-thinking perspective.

According to Ben, “Rather than focusing on specific client work, our team looks ahead to identify innovative capabilities and forge partnerships with ‘best-in-class’ solution providers.”

“We constantly ask, ‘Is there a better way to do it?’ “ he continues.  “Then, as we identify ‘better’ ideas and practices, we drive integration and adoption with the groups here at Technekes, who can put them into action for our clients.”

Alex Dowlin is also onboard, making his way here from Long Island (via Massachusetts, Korea, Huntersville NC and Philadelphia).  Alex is co-leading these efforts, bringing considerable experience in inside sales, incentive-based marketing, call center optimization and continuous improvement – all of which will be put to good use on the IMS team.

Steve Amedio, our president and chief operating officer, says, “The IMS team is a point of distinction for Technekes.  I don’t know that any of our competitors is able or willing to invest in a team dedicated to anticipating client needs and identifying emerging technology.  I anticipate some exciting developments coming from the group in 2011, resulting in significant increases in ROI for our clients.”

A Picture Worth A Thousand Words. But We’re Just Looking For A Dozen.

 

This a real, unretouched photo taken by Preston from our headquarters in Charlotte NC yesterday.  (He actually hung up on Diana Henderson to snap the shot!)  All we need now is a caption.  Ideas?

Account Management — We Work For You.

As we begin the New Year, we’re also posting a new series on Sprockets, telling more about the various departments here at Technekes, starting with the one department clients work with the most — Account Management.

What makes a great team?  In sports, you want teammates with a combination of gifts — things like speed and intelligence and sheer audacity.  In business, well,  you want pretty much the same combination.  You don’t just want the players who can get the job done.  You want the ones who will get the job done.

That’s your Technekes account management team.

We come at account management from a slightly different angle.  For starters, our teams are aligned by industry, which means your team is dedicated to your line of work.  We’re experts, continuing to grow and learn more about your business, on our own, with you and through additional education opportunities.  Our goal is to be as knowledgeable about your business as you are.

It’s unlikely you’ve ever worked with such seasoned and experienced folks.  And rest assured that your account services leader will be the one who actually services your account, remaining engaged and active, Day One and every day thereafter.  Your team stays intact, bringing on additional players as needed, so there’s no information exchange gap.

Just as important is the way we work.  Yes, we get it done, but we’re not just order-takers.  We see ourselves as your strategic partner — an extension of your department.  Even as we’re attending to the essential day-to-day details of your programs, we’re always thinking big picture, always looking 360, always considering ways to amp up ROI.

Bottom line, we are your advocate.  We represent you — which means that when the need arises, there’s no limit to the extraordinary measures we’ll take to ensure your program is well-executed, on time and on budget.

Just ask our current clients.  To hear them tell it, we represent them so well that their logos — not ours — should be on our business cards.

And in some cases, it actually is.