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Featured WBE Interview
Kaie Latterner, President

Tec, Inc.

Tell us a little bit about TEC, Inc.
Since 1984, TEC has been dedicated to developing and delivering outstanding change management strategies, plans and programs for companies facing major technology and organizational changes. We describe our expertise as being the “people side” of technology. Typically, companies focus a great deal of time, money and resources on choosing and implementing the right technology to enable them to operate effectively and profitably. However, the “people side” is often seriously neglected, or not considered until the last minute. That’s where TEC comes in! We develop a comprehensive Change Management plan, which meets our clients’ needs in four areas:

1. Organizational Structure – Does your organizational structure support how you want to run your business, and are the right people in the right positions?
2. Business Process Redesign – Are your business processes in line with industry best-practices, and are you doing business the best way possible? Technology should support your business processes – not dictate how you should run your business.
3. Training – How do you ensure that your employees have the right skills and tools to perform their jobs effectively? (TEC experience includes assessments, documentation, custom coach / train-the-trainer programs, and training delivery in the form of instructor-led training, e-learning and distance learning.)
4. Communications – In the midst of all the change, how do you get the right information to the right people at the right time, and in what form?

TEC has assisted many Fortune 500 companies with the “people side” of their systems integrations, with our primary focus on the retail sector, and we have developed and delivered training for tens of thousands of employees on a wide variety of skills and technology. Our clients include: Trader Joe’s, Giant Eagle, Michaels Stores, Family Dollar Stores, The Home Depot, Old Navy (division of The Gap), Aerospace Systems Engineering, American Dental Association, A&P and many others. With the services and products described above, TEC’s goals are to enable companies to realize their ROI faster, streamline the change process and help align their people with the growth and changes in the organization.

What made you go into this business?
That’s a funny story. Thirty years ago I was hired by the JCPenney Company to work on their “Hot Line” – an IT Help Desk group that supported all the Point-of-Sale register systems throughout the company and country. On my first day, they put me in an ice cold room with a large mini-computer, tossed a terribly written, barely legible copy of a manual in front of me and said “Learn it.” I promised myself that day that I’d figure out a better way to teach technology to non-technical people. Seven years later I started TEC and I’ve kept my promise. Although we started out primarily with technology training, we have expanded into the related areas of change management, communications and business process redesign.

What has been the worst or the biggest obstacle you’ve faced or had to overcome?
Here’s the situation: When a copier machine company sells a copier to a customer, they don’t have to sell the customer on what a copier is or why they need one. Their challenge is to convince the customer that their brand of copier is the best deal, the best value, the best performer. In our business, we have to prove to our customers the purpose and value of the types of services and products TEC provides. We have to show them the positive impact we will have on the success of the program and effectiveness of the changes they are trying to implement. I am pleased that change management, training and communication have been taking more of a front seat in importance and value in the last few years. What our clients learn about change management and training is that once you “do it right,” you’ll never want to do it wrong again!

What has been your biggest triumph?
Over the last ten years, TEC has been the selected vendor for several major contracts with Fortune 500 companies over other vendors – who also happen to rank in the Fortune 500. To have TEC’s experience and expertise recognized and valued over pure name recognition of an industry giant was very rewarding.

What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
To be honest, to have integrity and to respect others as you would want them to respect you.

Is there anyone who inspired you and why?
The people in my life who have inspired me the most are my husband and my parents – no question about it. My parents taught me to work hard, to be honest and to be grateful for everything I’ve ever had, and my husband has more integrity than anyone I know. He joined TEC about ten years ago, and we have a wonderful business relationship as well as a rock-solid 20-year marriage.

What is your favorite quote?
“When you’re through with change, you’re through.” That says it all.

What is your favorite book?
I certainly believe The Holy Bible is the best book ever written. However, another book that really had an impact on me was The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver. It is a story about a missionary family in Africa, and it is truly a book about faith and survival. The trials and tribulations suffered by this incredible family were countless. The story truly motivated me and made me appreciate all of the good things with which I have been blessed in my life.

What are your goals now and where do you see yourself going?
We plan to keep expanding and growing TEC. We enjoy helping to guide our clients through difficult times of change, and it is rewarding to see the results. However, I strongly believe in balancing life / family / personal time with the work of owning a business. Supporting family and friends and continued charity work are certainly as important as what we do with the business.

How has being a member of the WBDC and WBENC helped you?
I have met so many wonderful, powerful, motivational, fun, professional, creative (and I could go on with many more adjectives here…) women through these organizations – it really pumps you up. I was also part of the National WBENC Forum for several years and got to meet many of our Corporate Sponsors, which was exciting. These organizations really go above and beyond the call of duty to help women-owned businesses grow and thrive.

What do you want to be remembered for?
If I can be remembered as an honest person who helped others and can make people smile once in a while, then I’ll have lived a good life.

How does someone get in contact with you at TEC?
We would appreciate the opportunity to speak with anyone who is interested in the ways in which TEC helps our clients to manage change and growth effectively in their organizations. You can reach me at 727-391-9232, or e-mail me at KaieLatterner@TECconsultants.com.