Advanced Cabling Systems Makes for an Appealing Installer of the Year Runner-Up
Advanced Cabling Systems takes Installer of the Year (small to midsize company) runner-up honors thanks to its business strategy that takes care of its employees who then, in return, take care of its clients.
Advanced Cabling Systems puts a big emphasis on employee happiness.
It’s turning into a pretty good 20th anniversary year for North Little Rock, Ark.-based Advanced Cabling Systems, which was featured in a Security Systems & Integration profile in the May issue.
The firm, which provides security systems, audio/video, infant protection, access control, fire alarm, CCTV, structured cabling, fiber optics, testing & inspection and monitoring, has an account base of 6,000 subscribers and projects $31 million in revenues for 2017 (after $26M in 2016).
Now it can add Installer of the Year runner-up honors (small to midsize company) to the list. The firm has 173 employees serving its five locations in Arkansas, Oklahoma and Missouri, which each includes dedicated 24/7 service departments as well as on-call technicians with 15-minute response time on returned calls.
It’s Advanced Cabling’s investment in its employees that plays into what President Michael Kennedy considers the company’s top business strategy for continued success.
“Our No. 1 business strategy is to take care of our employees who will then, in return, take care of our clients,” Kennedy says. “We always strive to do the right thing and err on the side of the employee. We develop and consistently deliver lots of benefits for the employee — both insurance-wise and quality of life-wise.”
Advanced Cabling performs routine employee evaluation surveys to check in on how everyone is doing. The firm also has an email set up that all employees can send in their feedback, ideas, thoughts, concerns, etc., which are collected and sent straight to the vice president who then reads through them and responds as necessary, Kennedy explains.
From these two avenues, the company is then able to adjust its practices accordingly, says Kennedy, adding that growth targets are currently in three areas: A/V, healthcare vertical and recurring revenue.
To add to that employee roster, Advanced Cabling employs several recruitment methods. First and foremost, says Kennedy, company employees themselves are the top recruitment tool; employees tell their friends and families about job openings and encourage them to apply for positions.
Advanced Cabling uses social media and various online job boards to post opportunities. The company also maintains a strong relationship with local trade schools and often recruits their graduates, according to Kennedy.
Along with spending significant money to provide manufacturer and industry trainings, both jobsite and offsite, to its employees, Advanced Cabling also makes its atmosphere highly attractive.
“We invest company time and money to show appreciation to our employees often. We have a yearly company picnic and end-of-the-year party,” says Kennedy. “Each department also has quarterly outings. These outings include a float trip, paintball, go-karts, escape rooms and more. The department managers frequently cook breakfast for technicians before they go out to jobsites. We have a collaboration room with a ping pong table, foosball table, dart board and comfortable chairs to relax and take a break from work when needed.”
That level of care extends to customers and prospects as well. For starters, the company recently revamped its website to include a form where contact information can be submitted to the appropriate personnel.
It also recently incorporated the “how did you hear about us” question in client feedback surveys.
“We are easily available to current and potential clients via phone, email, social media, etc.,” Kennedy says. “We maintain client relationships and create new ones by sending handwritten notes often. We use social media to show who we are and what we’re up to.”
BEST OF THE BEST: Check out the rest of the winners and runners-up here!
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About the Author
Arlen Schweiger
Arlen Schweiger is editor-in-chief of SSI's sister publication, CE Pro. He was SSI's managing editor from August 2018 to June 2023.
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