International Alliance Group: Entrepreneurial Firm
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By Kate Burrows   
Thursday, 01 May 2008

smc International Alliance Group, Houston, Texas

A Unique Business Model
IAG’s legacy in the industry allows the company to enjoy longstanding relationships with suppliers and subcontractors, as well.

“We have alliances with subcontractors that are considered to be the most-efficient in their fields, which, together with our in-house expertise, allows us to execute projects more efficiently than other contractors,” Switzer asserts.

“We are positioned to minimize the impact of the present shortage of labor, and the skyrocketing prices of materials in the present market.”

To overcome the industry’s most-challenging obstacles, the company has successfully developed ongoing relationships with both repeat customers and its supplier partners.

“We’ve been able to capture a more efficient total pool of resources than what is currently being applied to projects,” Switzer explains.

Small Company Success
IAG’s small-company atmosphere offers many advantages, as well. The company’s ability to respond quickly to customer concerns and requests has become an important differentiating factor.

“We don’t have a lot of bureaucratic procedures and requirements here, and we can turn on a dime for our customers and respond to their needs,” Switzer says. “Because we’re a smaller company, we are able to stay very attuned to our customers’ needs.”

The company ensures it hires only the best of the best, mainly through referrals, according to Switzer. However, for key personnel and members of the management team, the company actively recruits experienced professionals in the field.

“This is a smaller industry than many people think it is, and the key people in the niche we’re interested in are very well known,” Switzer says.

Many of these experienced industry professionals are drawn to IAG’s entrepreneurial spirit and culture, Pappas explains.

“Most of the core people working here come to IAG for this reason,” he says. “We’re open to and encourage change, which is unique because many companies are not receptive to working outside their comfort zones. We encourage our employees to be entrepreneurial and creative in all that they do.”

Switzer says the company is determined to employ the industry’s most-talented people, and he believes IAG is well on its way to achieving this goal.

“We believe that when you encourage your people to embrace change and continuously improve, you’re going to have superior results,” he says. “We’ve certainly found this to be true for IAG.”



 
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