Sonepar and Crescent … Identifying Ways to Grow

We apologize for not having written in the past week and a half, however, client travel sometimes creates timing issues (and you probably don’t want me writing real late at night!)

But was listening to CNBC this afternoon.  They had a panel that commented on President Obama’s Town Hall that was on CNBC.  The panel consisted of CEOs from companies.  One individual commented (and this is a paraphrase) that it appeared to him that the administration wants to regulate its way out of the slow economy but that the only way to answer is for the country, and companies, to grow their way out of the economy as growth generates jobs, generates income, addresses housing issues and more.

So the message is, presuming you’ve developed a strong infrastructure for your business, the key to your success is identifying how you can grow your business … and there are a myriad of ways if you have the plan, staff it, work it and manage to success.

Sonepar, with the support of Acuity Brands, and Crescent have some ways that they are seeking growth.

• Acuity is holding a lighting workshop for Sonepar’s energy champions.  The agenda gives some insight into the market segments that Acuity thinks will be growth opportunities in 2011, and presumably will be target areas for Sonepar companies.  Here’s the link to the agenda and the targeted areas are:
• Intelligent Lighting Solutions: LED Technical Update and Controls CapabilitiesNot much about new construction or residential (and these were the topics in the order that they are being presented.
• Industrial and Warehouse Solutions
• Parking Garage Applications
• Cooled Storage and Food Processing Solutions
• Educational Facility Solutions
• Contractor Partners and Audit/Financial Analysis Tools
• Commercial Renovation Solutions
• Outdoor Lighting Applications

• Crescent is seeking to take advantage of part-timers with experience.  In Arizona they are looking for ex-industry personnel, or retirees, to be part-time account managers.  Here’s a link to the job posting. They are looking for people with contacts (want minimum of 20 years experience) and are focused on people that were contractors, electricians, in MRO facilities, etc…  Interesting way to “buy” contacts, and the new hires gets 18% of the gross margin for a commission only role.

Hiring part-time people to help jumpstart opportunities could be a good idea, especially with the number of talented people looking for positions.  Perhaps someone for an IT role (website management / e-commerce director), or a training role, or yes, even a marketing role.

And if you’re interested in learning more about Cresent, here’s a recruitment video they have on YouTube.

Just some ideas to help jumpstart your 2011 thought process.  How do you expect your market to be in 2011?  Take our 2011 business outlook survey.  We’ll report results shortly.