Date: July 8, 2007

Does Company Size Really Matter?

Occasionally we are asked how many employees we have on staff. Unfortunately the answer to this question can be mistakenly used as a gauge to evaluate our ability to handle large or complex orders. And while it is no secret that we have fewer employees than some of our competitors, this is actually by design.

At Temporary Technology we are constantly in search of good customers who are looking for a quality “technology partner” to support their events. Unlike the competition, we are not interested in fast growth accomplished through low pricing or cookie-cutter service. Our company’s controlled growth is clearly spelled out in our business plan. At TTI our goal is to consistently exceed customer expectations, ultimately providing our customers with the best “value” in the AV rental industry. And this goal is accomplished by our staff, regardless of its size.

We are very selective during the hiring process. With 65 years of combined industry experience, the Temporary Technology executive management team is often able to draw on the many contacts they have established over the years and hire through referrals instead of traditional methods. All new employees are then thoroughly trained by TTI’s executive management team. During new employee training, company beliefs, values and vision are stressed almost as much as the technical aspects of each position. And Temporary Technology executives consistently monitor new employee performance, making adjustments as needed.

You see, unlike a larger company, with multiple layers of management between the executives and the front line technicians, TTI’s executive managers are able to take a unique hands-on approach. They can instill their wealth of industry knowledge and values directly to the entire staff. This allows TTI to maintain a strong, consistent understanding of the company’s commitment to excellent service from the top down.

Members of the Temporary Technology sales staff came up through the company’s technical ranks, so they actually understand how all the gear works. They are taught a “consultative” approach to sales, with a focus on analyzing the client’s event goals. This helps each client receive exactly what they need, (not just what they “think” they want). Once a new order is taken by our sales team, our technicians are briefed by co-workers that “speak the same language” so nothing is lost in translation. We then supply our techs with some of the latest and greatest AV equipment available, making sure each client receives the best “tech team & tools” for their specific event.

Another way Temporary Technology is able to maintain a modest sized staff is through the development of a large pool of high end freelance technicians. These independent contractors are hired by TTI to assist with larger events during peak AV demand seasons, typically in the spring and fall. They have been thoroughly screened and evaluated by TTI’s executive management team prior to the establishment an ongoing business relationship. They are taught the basic values and beliefs of Temporary Technology and understand the “corporate culture” of the clientele they are hired to serve. When positions become available, Temporary Technology sometimes converts its freelance technicians to full time employees, allowing the company to in effect “try before they buy.”

In conclusion, there are many ways to evaluate a company’s ability to provide goods & services. Some people consider the length of time a prospective vendor has been in business to be a critical benchmark. Others depend on references from previous customers of the vendor in question. Regardless of your valuation preference, it is important to understand that a pertinent criterion in one industry is not necessarily relevant or useful in another. When it comes to evaluating AV rental vendors, it is not the size of the technical staff that matters; it is how the company uses it!