All-Pro Placement Service
www.allproplacement.com
There is no bureaucracy. There is no hierarchy. There are simply two owners with like minds, like values and principles and who have similar goals. Jennifer Quinn and Nancy Kelbaugh don’t want to be the biggest, or have the fanciest office; they want their Timonium business to be the best staffing firm in the area.
Quinn and Kelbaugh believe in an honest and direct work environment. They treat their temporary employees with respect and feel a balance between work and family life is important to a happy life and productive employee. All-Pro Placement Service is very accessible and listens to its clients, which helps it deliver timely, targeted solutions.
All-Pro Placement Service goes to great lengths to ensure quality. Applicants who complete the in-house application process which includes an interview and skill testing are pre-screened to make sure they meet the needs of the client. There have been instances when the company has had to pass on opportunities because they didn’t have just the right applicant to fill an immediate opening. But rather than short-change their customer with a square peg for a round hole, All-Pro Placement Service has opted for honesty, integrity and long-term client relationships over short-term gains.
Kelbaugh received Maryland’s Top 100 Minority Business Enterprise Award in 2007 and Quinn won the recognition in 2008.
Ascend One Corporation
www.ascendone.com
Ascend One and its family of businesses are committed to helping consumers get out of debt, strengthen their finances and better manage their money.
Their industry is not an easy one; but the current economic crisis has put it at the top of in-demand services today. In the last 12 months, BBB received more than 50,000 inquiries on Ascend One’s family of companies. Based in Columbia, the company employs more than 600 team members to meet the growing demands of the marketplace.
Bernaldo Dancel, chairman and CEO, and his management team have created a familial work environment that fosters positive employee relations with an emphasis on excellent customer service. They are dedicated to a high level of corporate citizenship and philanthropic leadership and support numerous organizations that strengthen families and promote education.
Ascend One and its people have earned many awards that underscore their commitment to ethics and community. Highlights include being named “One of the Best Places to Work” by Baltimore magazine in 2009, 2007 and 2005; 2008 Innovator of the Year, Bernaldo Dancel, by The Daily Record; and 2008 Howard County Humanitarian of the Year, Joseph Murray, Community Relations Director, Ascend One.
Chesapeake Irrigation Systems
www.chesapeakeirrigation.com
Company president, William M. Underwood, set the goal for Chesapeake Irrigation Systems’ to combine the best current technology with true ‘old world’ pride of craftsmanship in their design, installation and service of lawn irrigation sprinklers and landscape lighting.
The Millersville company, which has been operating since 1981, is concerned about customer satisfaction and wants its employees to care about their work. As a 1999 BBB | Greater Maryland Torch Award winner, Chesapeake Irrigation has demonstrated their commitment to marketplace excellence in the past and now adds another decade of customer satisfaction to their credit.
To buoy its business as an industry leader, Chesapeake Irrigation Systems, has not just one, but three certified Irrigation Contractors on-staff. Written proposals are detailed with make, model, quantities, and pricing. Laws requiring backflow preventers be installed by licensed plumbers are strictly followed to protect drinking water supply.
Ethic agreements are signed by Chesapeake Irrigation Systems’ designers, so that customers receive the best solution to meet their needs. Foreman and Installers sign a Conduct Agreement to ensure professionalism and customer satisfaction.
In addition to a committed staff, green lawns and happy customers, Underwood and his company have been faithful supporters of youth programs, the arts, and local charities.
Improvement Zone
www.improvement-zone.com
Improvement Zone began with a family discussion over the dinner table. What started out as a fun way to include family members in a project – fixing up Nicholas Neboshynsky’s grandfather’s house for resale – ended with the idea for a business. Begun in April 2007, the six family partners took a methodical approach and brought years of financial and business expertise to the workbench.
Excellence is expected from everyone and for all customers. New hires are issued a “Responsibilities” pledge to read and sign. General job duties are acknowledged, as well as, proper communication. Field personnel are also required to ensure the customer receives in writing exactly what work will be done using clear, detailed work orders, furnish the Notice of Cancellation or Waiver of 3 Day Right of Cancellation.
Neoshynsky’s policy of offering discounts and coupons to customers even without requiring the customer to present the coupon (or request the discount) has cost the company profits in the past. The company contends that despite the occasional post-sale coupon, a happy, repeat customer and its own reputation for honesty and integrity is far more important than a one-time hit to their bottom-line.
Improvement Zone counts community involvement as one of its corporate responsibilities. By providing offers of free labor and assistance to worthy causes this Anne Arundel County business is helping its neighbors in a very special way.
Mid-Atlantic Waterproofing of Maryland, Inc.
www.basements.com
Mid-Atlantic Waterproofing of Maryland’s mission statement is simple – “provide customers with the best service in the industry” and that is just what principal Edwin Fennell encourages his staff to do. Since 1965, the company has served over 10,000 customers and stood behind their lifetime, transferable warranty guarantee. It is no surprise that testimonials and satisfied customer referrals played a large role in the success that Mid-Atlantic Waterproofing has enjoyed.
The company has created a reputation for being trustworthy and ethical. It offers customers fair pricing and a staff they can depend on for getting the job done right. Estimators undergo stringent training and are evaluated regularly, so that standards for professionalism and honesty are maintained. A combination of follow-up calls and customer questionnaires are utilized to assure quality control of its field representatives.
In addition to caring for its customers, Mid-Atlantic Waterproofing cares for the community by lending support to a number of charitable organizations through a pattern of philanthropy. The company, which operates offices across the region, including one in Columbia, MD, has positioned itself squarely on the national level. Qualified Remodeler magazine ranked Mid-Atlantic Waterproofing 16th on their 2008 Top 500 Remodelers List, landing them in the top 20 for the sixth consecutive year
Next Day Blinds
www.nextdayblinds.com
Exactly Rightä. That’s not just a slogan for Next Day Blinds, it pretty much sums up the way company President and Founder, Steve Freishtat, wants his “outside-in” business to operate. By taking cues from customers, Next Day Blinds has made work flow and procedural changes to better serve them and to exceed their expectations.
Integrity of the brand, products, warranty and service are all important at Next Day Blinds. While warranties vary from product to product, Next Day Blinds takes lifetime warranties one step further by providing customers with their “In-home Service Guarantee,” which frees them from the logistical hassle of many traditional product warranties. The company has also set numerous examples of going above and beyond the call of duty for clients. Customer testimonials and third party phone surveys attest to the satisfaction of company clientele.
While many organizations seek media publicity as a way of distinguishing their products and services, Next Day Blinds prefers the “Deming” method, coined for Dr. W. Edwards Deming, for determining their statistical measures of performance in all facets of its business. The company sets aggressive goals and in the last year has committed to increasing its share of hybrid fleet vehicles to 30%. Other green initiatives have helped Next Day Blinds reduce its dumpster haul-away trash by almost 50%, reduce scrap from manufacturing, and reduce packaging and eliminate all foam elements in favor of biodegradable materials.
Post & Beam Design\Build
www.postandbeamdesignbuild.com
Business partners, Bill Fannin and Scott Schubert, started Post & Beam Construction Company right out of college. At the time, they subsidized their own projects by doing work for Home Depot customers.
Nearly ten years later, Bill and Scott’s reputation for quality work and exceptional customer service had earned them enough business of their own. In leaving their Home Depot days behind them – but not their customers or their lessons - they changed the company name to Post & Beam Design\Build to better capture the scope of their capabilities.
Post & Beam understands the value of good customer service. The Forest Hill company has made sizeable short-term concessions that have ranged from assisting a single-mother customer in-need, to the replacement of warped decking under warranty by a manufacturer that had gone belly-up, all in effort to build life-time relationships. T heir commitment to goodwill does not end with their customers. Post & Beam supports many youth programs and local charities as part of its overall corporate citizenship.
The partners make certain that the company portrays itself and it services accurately and honestly to the homeowner, by handling all sales and estimates personally. Professional certifications and training is encouraged for all staff and Post & Beam employs personnel who are Certified Graduate Remodeler, Certified Aging-In-Place Specialist, Certified Green Professional and American Institute of Building Design Professional. Staying up to date on current trends is critical to their success and on-going certification.
Sit Stay & Play
www.sitstayandplay.com
Sit Stay & Play not only values ethics in business, it helps to promote the ethical treatment of animals too. Jules Nye, owner and operator of Sit Stay & Play, started her Severn, MD business in 2003 and has spent the last seven years providing positive training to support owner and dog sanity.
Dog training presents unique challenges and Sit, Stay and Play has designed its facility, training methods, contractor agreements and equipment to protect and provide a safe environment for its team, dogs and owners. The company is not only committed to providing the highest level of compassion for animals, it also shows its concern for the environment by many employing green business practices including recycling, the use of natural cleaning products and lighting.
Transparency and open and honest communication are critical to Sit, Stay and Plays success. Pricing, payments and class schedules are fully disclosed and easy to understand. Flexible training schedules offer convenience, allowing clients to maximize their opportunities for learning.
Nye’s customers have become her best advocates earning the company a wealth of testimonials. Word-of-mouth referrals have accounted for more than 90% of Sit, Stay and Play’s business in the last two years. Pets and pet owners are not the only beneficiaries of Sit, Stay and Play’s work; local charities are also heralding its support.
Soft Touch Photography by Cynthia
www.stphotos.com
Since the opening of Soft Touch Photography in 2000, Cynthia Fields has been striving to meet every customer’s expectation through determination, hard work and commitment.
In an industry where customer referrals are key to expanding clientele, Cynthia demonstrates her Baltimore-based business’ commitment to honesty and integrity with every customer she serves. Her belief in working closely with the client to meet their needs has made Soft Touch Photography a successful business in the community.
In addition to photography, a large part of the company’s business is picture restoration, Cynthia and her employees enjoying reviving memories for their customers and go beyond the call of duty to meet the needs of clients.
Soft Touch Photography creates an atmosphere to foster positive employee relations, as well as contribute to the community through various charitable projects.
Soft Touch Photography by Cynthia has gained a positive image from their ethical business practices, “good old fashion” service and impeccable quality.
Staff Quest, Inc.
‘The Staff Quest difference’ can be found in every aspect of Nancy Trimble-Oliver’s business. Her Owings Mills company is a certified Women’s Business Enterprise by Baltimore City and a MD MBE/DBE certified business. Trimble-Oliver is a Certified Workforce Development Professional and has served on many professional and charitable boards. In 2007, Trimble-Oliver was recognized with Maryland’s Top 100 Minority Business Enterprise Awards.
Staff Quest takes its job very seriously. Not only is the company working to be a seamless extension of its clients’ human resources team, but it’s helping to put job seekers on paths to rewarding careers and personal success. In order to match applicants to the right opportunities, to provide the most qualified employees and enhance customer satisfaction, Trimble-Oliver conducts a battery of skill set analysis. Staff Quest’s attention to detail is rewarded with immediately productive employees for its customers.
Surprises are something Staff Quest works to avoid. In doing so, there are no hidden costs or fees. Services are provided “all inclusive,” to get the job done right the first time. Honesty, integrity and good, old-fashioned, hard-work are hallmarks of Trimble-Oliver’s career since she started Staff Quest in 1997.
The Horse Inspired Growth & Learning Center
www.horseinspired.com
Robin Dunning and her partner, Pam Dudek, are riding high with The Horse Inspired Growth & Learning Center in Parkton, MD.
The four year-old business has established an impressive stable of clients including Baltimore County Department of Health, The Children’s Guild, and Sheppard Pratt Hospital. The environment, safety and professional and ethical standards are ‘business as usual.’
The organization operates in accordance with the Equine Assisted Growth & Learning Association, Maryland Board of Social Work and BBB ethical standards and attends yearly workshops for continued licensure. The Horse Inspired Growth & Learning Center prizes client privacy over opportunities for media coverage and works to protect the confidentiality of the families and individuals it serves.
The Horse Inspired Growth & Learning Center benefits the community by helping corporations, families and individuals find their strengths. As a concerned corporate citizen, it also helps by offering pro-bono spots for clients who demonstrate need and a willingness to continue working to improve their lives.
The Thomas Roofing Company
www.thomasroofing.net
Merrill Thomas, president of Thomas Roofing Company, has assembled quality roofs for more than 27 years. Thomas feels that excellence is the only worthwhile goal for any organization. Loyalty, cooperation and honesty are essential elements that safeguard Thomas’s success and help the Westminster, MD company stay on top of the roofing industry.
The work environment at Thomas Roofing enables every employee to make a significant contribution to the improvement of the company. High performance is expected from each individual, but safety, team work and trust among team members is paramount to every project. With every one of its employees working toward the common goal of producing a quality product in a timely manner, Thomas Roofing delivers satisfaction to homeowners.
Thomas Roofing’s reputation resulted in an honor that only 2% of all roofing companies share when they were selected as a GAF/ELK Master Elite contractor. As a GAF/ELK Master Elite contractor, promotional materials are truthful and products come with Good Housekeeping Promises. Sales personnel and mechanics are trained to provide customers with accurate information and exceptional installation. Before The Thomas Roofing Company builds a roof, they build trust.
Turf Valley Resort
www.turfvalleyresort.com
In 1978, the Mangione family created an atmosphere of teamwork, mutual respect and integrity at the Turf Valley Resort in central Maryland. After more than 30 years of operation, Peter Mangione, general manager, takes the utmost pride in preserving these high standards, as well as ensuring a memorable experience for both guests and employees.
In following a golden rule - treat others the way you want to be treated, Turf Valley Resort is known for its exceptional service and hospitality throughout the industry. From day one, employees are trained to use ethics and integrity in their interactions with guests and employees.
According to the company, which is part of Mangione Family Enterprises, maintaining a positive working relationship between employer and employee is what enables the provision of memorable customer service. Each month since 2004, Turf Valley Resort’s management honors one employee with the Employee of the Month award.
In keeping with its core values, Turf Valley Resort was awarded The Knot: Best of Weddings 2009, along with recognitions from A Taste of Howard County – Alexandra’s Restaurant, Official Guide to Howard County – Best Places to Golf, and AAA’s 3 Diamond Rating.