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FRANCINE BROOKS WOMEN WHO MEAN BUSINESS - 2004
338 Harris Hill Road, Suite 107francine@fbportabledisplays.com
Williamsville, New York 14221Office: (716) 635-0282
1.Contributions to the Western New York Community
As founder and president of FB Portable Displays, Inc., I have always maintained a strong commitment to the western New York community through my involvement and leadership in civic, educational, and professional organizations.
In 1999, I completed an intensive, 10-month professional development program with the Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership (CEL), and subsequently became Chair of the Alumni Association. I have developed and coordinated numerous innovative programs to advance business growth in western New York, such as the annual “Panel Discussion with Civic Leaders” and the annual “Business Seminars.”
While serving as Chair of the CEL Alumni Association, I seized the opportunity to create a synergistic relationship with the University at Buffalo School of Management Alumni (SOMAA) Association, and, as a result, was offered a board position with the SOMAA. This relationship has resulted in many shared programs and growth opportunities for both organizations.
As a member of the Board of Directors of the Amherst Chamber of Commerce, I chaired the organizing committee for the Business-to-Business Trade Show over two consecutive years, and created the ProNet business networking group that is still very active today. In recognition of my outstanding contributions to the Amherst Chamber, I was awarded the first-ever “Volunteer of the Year” award in _____ (year)
2.Contributions to Improving the Climate for Women in Business
I believe that great opportunities exist in the western New York business community for women in business. However, we cannot wait for good fortune to happen. In every aspect of life, I have found that, if you want to achieve something, you have to visualize your dreams, develop a plan, and then go out and create opportunities to make it happen.
Women who are leaders in the business community have the responsibility to serve as an example and help other women to succeed by providing mentoring and support. Through various community involvements, I have mentored several women who were completing the CEL program, and have provided financial support to Cornerstone Manor.
Board membership is another way of improving the climate for women in business. My involvement on numerous boards of directors has paved the way for other women to become involved in community and professional organizations.
Francine BrooksWomen Who Mean Business - Page 2
3.Challenges I Have Faced in My Professional Life and How I Overcame Them
During 2001, the U.S. economic situation declined sharply, affecting all areas of business, reducing marketing budgets dramatically. This had a profound affect on the trade show and exhibit industry, and on my business, and required a complete turnaround in how we conducted business.
To overcome the challenges we faced, I implemented new strategies for sales and customer service. I educated my staff to develop a customer-centered focus that would lead to greater client satisfaction and retention. Once our corporate culture and business practices were re-aligned, we worked closely with existing and prospective clients to determine their needs and to meet and expand new budget trends.
We realized that the Internet was a powerful tool for reaching out to national businesses, and set out to optimize our website to be more visible, thus creating more traffic to the website and resulting in increased sales. I also made a personal commitment to remain visible and active in the western New York business community, to develop business relationships that would eventually lead to new revenues and profitability.
4.Most Outstanding Business Accomplishment
In 1994, I founded and started up a small portable displays business that operated out of my garage with a severely limited budget. Since then, we have expanded into a Class A corporate headquarters facility with a ______ sq. ft showroom, hired and trained a talented professional team of six full-time employees, and built this company into a widely respected expert in the trade show and exhibit industry.
We have achieved 25% revenue growth annually since 1994. The secret to my success: maintaining a culture of relationship building, customer service, and respect for employee and customer needs.
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