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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

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.

The Weather Outside Is Frightful, But A Snuggie Is So Delightful

Technekes has been forced to postpone not one, but two, company-wide outings in recent months, so when last week’s forecast called for frozen precip (something we’re ill-equipped to handle – much less spell — here in the Southeast), we all had our fingers crossed – especially account coordinator and party-planner-extraordinaire Erin Faucette.

No need for Erin to worry.  Despite frozen roads and school delays early Thursday morning, the Charlotte holiday party at Strike City went off without a hitch.

We bowled and ate and bowled and ate, and bowled and well, you get the idea, until the much-anticipated Mad Santa gift swap, where the most “stolen” – or perhaps,  “poached” — gift was a zebra-patterned Snuggie.   Who could’ve predicted?  Or in hindsight, who couldn’t?

Before wrapping up the festivities, President and COO, Steve Amedio also took the opportunity to announce annual awards.

Madhavi Patil, software engineer, won our first ever “Bright Idea Award,” for innovative and impactful problem-solving on behalf of one of our largest clients.  Maynard Sammons, database engineer, was also recognized as runner-up.

The “Breakout Award” is traditionally given to a newer employee who has both made immediate and significant contributions and shows seemingly limitless potential.  This year, for the first time ever, two employees were recognized: senior project coordinator Ashley Gordy and senior graphic designer Alison Hoskins.

The “Leadership Award,” was given to Larry LaSalle, our respected director of quality and productivity, who is known for leading by example.

Scott Miner, creative director, took home highest honors, winning the “Top Gear Award.”  According to Steve, “No one in the company is as ‘Technekes’ as Scott, who embodies our brand, our culture and our commitment to clients.”

If only we had zebra-patterned Snuggies for them all.

Cheers!

Spirit Week at the MIC

We’ve always known that our associates in Research Triangle Park are of one mind when it comes to their dedication to engaging clients and prospects in dynamic conversations.

But on one recent day at the MIC, they were of one mind and one look, as well.

“Twin Day” kicked off Spirit Week, and from the looks of it, folks got a kick out of dressing alike.  (Get a load of the battling brothers in white.)  Spirit Week also included – among other things – “Tacky Day,” “Team Day,” and “Flip Flop Day,” as well as a Potluck Cook-Off.   For his mouth-watering, prize-winning entry, Tarik, one of our team coaches, took top prize – and now has everyone guessing about the “secret” ingredient in his Alfredo Pasta with Tomatoes and Sausage.  (C’mon Tarik, we won’t tell anyone!)

This was the MIC’s 3rd annual Spirit Week – a great employee recognition tradition – where everyone steps away from their usual business casual routine (did we mention “Tacky Day”?) and has a lot of fun – and food!

We can’t wait to see what they come up with next year!

Our Not-So-Hidden Talents — Eating and Cooking


We’re good at a lot of things here at Technekes.  From what our clients tell us, we’re smart, thorough, hardworking and creative.

Well, we don’t mean to brag, but we’re also good eaters.  Darned impressive cooks.  And able to surprise a pregnant co-worker?  Yep.  We got that down, too.

Last week was our 2nd Annual Southern Classics Luncheon (a.k.a., A-Surprise-Baby-Shower-For-Erin) in Charlotte. We pulled off the surprise part – even managed a surprise guest, the daddy-to-be – while enjoying quite the spread, as well.

The main dish, naturally, was fried chicken from Price’s Chicken Coop, the world-renowned chicken counter around the corner.

Then, there was the “spread” – more salads, side dishes, casseroles and desserts than any one person could possibly eat.   Although many gave it a try.

Which brings up another point – we’re also good at sharing.  No, we don’t have any leftovers, but if you’d like some of the recipes from our luncheon-slash-shower, just click Southern Classics 2010.  And if you give any of them a try – or would like to share your own – let us know.

Because as we mentioned earlier, we’re pretty good eaters – and we’d love to share!

Our New Videos Are Up!

A star is born.  Or perhaps, three stars are born, now that the new videos featuring the leads of our three practice groups have premiered.

Ashley Williams, Dale McKee and Bobbie Montgomery do a great job describing the expertise and experience of their individual groups and what it is about Technekes that keeps our clients coming back.

We hope you’ll take a minute to take a peek (each video clocks in under two minutes) – and let us know what you think.  You may learn something new about Technekes.  And we’re sure you’ll see some familiar faces in a whole new light.

View Bobbie’s Healthcare Practice Group video here

View Dale’s Financial Services Practice Group video here

View Ashley’s Agriculture Practice Group video here