What TAB-Pittsburgh South Members Say About the Value of The Alternative Board®
“Our association with TAB, in addition to being enriching in a personal way, has really opened up avenues to interact with a whole new circle of professionals and concepts that we would not have been exposed to otherwise. The result of this is that we have discovered new avenues of growth and development and the means and expertise to pursue those, that we may have missed out on, and the end results. We have become a more professional and successful organization with the process development and greater understanding of what works best and what is less effective. Our opinions on how to best do things have definitely changed.”
- Dan Winters and Jay Meenen, Owners, Integrated Environmental Systems
“My interest in TAB was generated by my inability to take our company to the "next level". Although we were profitable and generally successful, there were no solid standard operating procedures or employee accountability. This left me to constantly making even the smallest of decisions and "putting out fires". My TAB coach and Board have helped me tremendously to lift the level of professionalism within the company, add accountability, and it allows the company to grow with far less strife and chaos. My goal was to grow and at the same time lessen my role in the organization. Both are well on their way to happening!”
-Tim Kilkeary, Owner, Kilkeary Auto Body
“TAB has provided me with great insight in how other business owners have tackled many of the challenges I face. I find our monthly board meetings to be invaluable, as I listen to others share their experiences of how they worked through the issues I am also up against. My coaches’ extensive business experience allows him to provide me with great insight during our one on one coaching sessions. The opportunity to get recommendations on who I should consider to provide me with business services based on others experiences are of great value as well. My investment in TAB is money well spent.”
-David Cranston Jr., President, Cranston Material Handling Equipment, Moon Township, Pa.
“My TAB Board and TAB Facilitator have helped me to make sound, well-thought-out business decisions. When I joined TAB, I had hoped for assistance in bringing the business to a new level. As the economy soured in the recent months, the ideas shifted from growth strategies to restructuring and cost reductions. It was very helpful to have a non-vested individual to bounce my ideas off of and refine them. The TAB Board was helpful in gauging the economic situation to make sure that I was not "talking myself into" blaming the economy when there may have been other factors. While the TAB experience has been significantly different than what I intended, it has definitely helped me in my decision-making and business analysis.”
-Mike Savage, President, Pleiger Plastics, Washington, PA
“The best business decision that I’ve ever made (besides opening my store) was to join the TAB Board. It taught me how to structure and formulate basic fundamental policies and procedures; it has helped me sharpen my vision for future business and personal goals. The TAB Board provides a safe place to bounce around ideas and receive honest, creative solutions to important business challenges. Coaching sessions are professional, focused and very enlightening. They have helped me work on my business and not in my business. My recommendation – JOIN!”
-Gina Snyder, Owner, Sunny Bridge Natural Foods, McMurray, PA
“As a TAB Board member for six months, I have already seen how beneficial my Board meetings have been. As TAB points out, the common differences in our individual businesses are transcended by the problems that affect us all. Beyond the importance of Board interaction, I have found even better value in my coaching sessions. Every month you are one-on-one with your facilitator to discuss situations that are pertinent to your specific business operation. I am learning some much-needed business skills from these meetings.”
-Suzanne McAnallen, Donley Brick Company, Washington, PA
“The timing of becoming a TAB Board member was perfect for me because our business was growing, and I had a group of people I could discuss key issues with. I was killing myself trying to manage every inch of the business. My TAB Board and Coach enabled me to see the importance of sharing responsibility with others in the company, and they helped restructure each department of our company and its management. Because of a referral from my Coach, we set a new record for sales in a month. It’s great to have an outside opinion when making decisions.”
-Rob Albinger, President, Conspec Controls, Charleroi, PA
“I have seen a significant return. In addition to the board’s peer input, I have benefited greatly from the monthly coaching and SBL strategy/planning process. Not only has it helped [me] maintain deadlines, the coaching input and advice have been instrumental in helping me articulate my goals and in facilitating the direction of our business over the last year in a methodical plan to achieve these goals. I truly believe we, for the first time, have a definitive and dynamic plan in the works.”
-Tim Lease, Owner, Wagester & Lease, Pittsburgh, PA
“The TAB process has been a very positive experience for my company and for me personally. The monthly meetings and coaching sessions afford me the opportunity to openly express business concerns, ideas, doubts and dreams to a group of business owners that I can count on for valuable, unfiltered feedback. Listening and sharing in the discussion of topics brought up by the other board members as well as those of guest speakers has helped shape a number of strategies we have implemented in our company. The value of the monthly board meetings and monthly one-on-one coaching sessions has been excellent. If you sense the desire for an improved focus in your business and maybe also how it relates to an improved focus in your personal life, TAB membership should be on your short list of considerations.”
-Jim Leckie, President, R.G. Johnson Company Inc., Washington, PA
“Even though my business is an S corporation, I’m the only shareholder and I’ve been running it for the past 11 years, literally and figuratively as a ‘sole’ proprietor. TAB membership gives me access to my own board of directors. The one-on-one coaching sessions prod me to look at the big picture and take action. The accountability to my coach and the board has sharpened my business acumen.”
-Mark Vanistendael, Owner, Davan Manufacturing, Inc., Washington, PA
“The TAB board has become a trusted group of confidants who provide insight and structure in the business development process. The board is the only place I can discuss sensitive company issues with other business owners who take a real interest in providing advice. My TAB business coach has proven to be a very capable coach and business mentor.”
-Ken Schultz, Owner, Shannon Construction Company, Mt. Lebanon, PA
“My TAB Board has become an invaluable resource. They give me the opportunity to discuss ‘my’ important business issues and receive back unbiased insights. My investment in TAB has been time and money well spent!”
-Jeffery S. Flick, Principal, BD&E Inc., Pittsburgh, PA