February 1, 2009
2008 will certainly go on the books as an astounding year.
- Gas prices as high as they’ve ever been and as low as they’ve been in five years.
- A tumultuous economy and very uncertain times.
- Bank failures and consolidations, and squeezed commercial credit.
- Unprecedented government “bailouts” and economic stimulus plans.
It makes you remember that old adage “if it weren’t for bad news….”
But
if you think back, there were in fact some good things that happened to
all of us in 2008. To maintain a balanced perspective during trying
times, it’s important to reflect on both our accomplishments as well as
our challenges. I’m pleased to review some of the highlights of our
year with you in this letter.
Our strategic plan is driven by
what we need to do to accomplish our mission – healthy growth for
private business. This year, we aligned our services and our delivery
methods to meet the needs of private business.
- In January 2008, we completed the merger of Apple Growth Partners
and Brott Mardis & Co. Today, we enjoy the synergies of our
collective expertise, having fully integrated our offices and practices.
- Lean Back Office, our technology affiliate, expanded its staff and
adopted Microsoft’s Sure Step© methodology to help ensure smooth
implementation efforts.
- We are developing a Small Business Accounting resource to be rolled
out in 2009 that will provide highly cost effective bookkeeping and
support of QuickBooks systems.
- Succession Planning- we presented multiple seminars on this most
important topic to private companies. Internally, we worked diligently
to establish a succession plan for our firm that positions Apple Growth
Partners for smooth continuity of staff at all levels for long term
growth.
Client focused initiatives continue to add value to and enhance client experiences with Apple Growth Partners.
- A client satisfaction survey program launched last spring explored
in depth, client relationships, our demonstration of shared values to
clients, and ways to enhance the client experience with Apple Growth
Partners.
- The first of annual GrowthPATH for Business Leaders Conferences was
held recently with combined attendance of over 100 people at Akron and
Cleveland presentations.
- We began “green” communications with electronic delivery of
newsletters and news alerts for clients and friends of Apple Growth
Partners.
Apple Growth Partners supported its northeast
Ohio community through not-for-profit board membership, sponsorships,
and event participation.
- Professional staff served on the boards of numerous not for profit
organizations including Mobile Meals, The Akron Rotary Foundation, The
Covenant, Playhouse Square Foundation, and Boy Scouts of America,
- The Apple Growth Partners Charity Golf Classic drew participation
from clients, banks, attorneys and not-for-profit organizations and
raised over $23,000 for local charities.
- We “Live United.” In addition to our staff contributing to the
United Way’s annual campaign, volunteers from our firm donated time and
labor to the United Way’s Day of Action, working at Stewart’s Caring
Place and the Akron Area YMCA.
We continue to be a workplace of excellence, attracting and retaining top talent in northeast Ohio.
- Apple Growth Partners was named a NorthCoast 99 Workplace on its first application attempt.
- Our firm’s Shared Values, Accountability, Integrity, Exceptional
Client Relationships, Commitment to Excellence, and Positive Culture,
continue to guide us. We reaffirm these values by signing boards each
year that hang in the lobbies of every office.
- Our latest recruiting campaign, “What matters most,” vividly
displays why people work at Apple Growth Partners – because as a firm,
we support what matters most to our staff.
Over the last
couple months I have made a concerted effort to contact clients all of
which have expressed concern and uncertainty about the economy and its
impact on their business. Almost 100% of those calls have identified a
common philosophy among area businesses: recession is nothing new to
Northeast Ohio. We have dealt with them in the past, managed our
resources with the understanding that they will come again, and are
planning to ride this one out and be stronger when it concludes.
So
while the road ahead will likely have some twists and turns, we
approach with optimism and enthusiasm, knowing that even in difficult
times, we can accomplish much. We can work on our businesses and our
communities in their refocused efforts, and plan for growth as the
economy rebounds.
On behalf of all of us at Apple Growth
Partners we extend our best wishes for success in this new year, for a
speedy recovery for our economy and our thanks for the opportunity to
be of service to you.
Yours truly,
David J. Gaino
Chairman