BOCA RATON, FL - Excellence Alliance Inc.’s (EAI’s) initial goal was to set ambitious goals for itself. At its fourth-annual National Executive Meeting, held here recently, Jeff Wilmink, president of the independent contractor group, stated that all of those goals have been set into motion, and it is launching its next three-year business plan.

Wilmink noted that the hvac consolidation movement occurred during the organization’s first three years and that helped bring its independent contractors together.

Highlighting the group’s accomplishments for 2000, he related that EAI acquired United Service Alliance. It provided exclusive membership networks for residential and commercial contractors, as well as exclusive networking opportunities through its meetings.

MentorNet supplies contractor members with an online adviser. To provide training and education, the organization offers Excellence Alliance University, its Customer Excellence Program, regional training, and online courses.

In the sales and marketing area, ExcellenceAlliance.net opened a new facility and now has five full-time employees. The organization also offers a Performance Excellence Program, Residential Excellence Program, and sales and marketing manuals.

Purchasing power is supplied through EAI’s service group and its list of purchasing allies. Operational assistance includes consulting help.

And looking to the future, the Excellence Alliance Foundation is providing scholarships to promising young people.



A NEW COMMITMENT

Wilmink said that EAI’s commitment for 2001 includes expanding its alliance to also encompass refrigeration, plumbing, and electrical contractors. The goal is to have separate groups for each of these areas in addition to hvac. Meetings are coming up to select the new management of these new groups.

Regional training next year will feature four additional courses. Computer-based training will be provided with interactive segments.

A “Seal of Excellence” identity program will emphasize members’ commitment to quality and identify them as part of a national organization. The seal will be applied to contractors’ vans, with pins available for uniforms.

The group wants to brand its national alliance, declared Wil-mink, and let people know that “We have the best contractors.”

A new website is also being built for the business-to-business and consumer markets. The organization is targeting new strategic allies in several categories, such as controls, pumps, and fans. It will be inaugurating a captive insurance company and full-service training and consulting.

Finally, he remarked that the foundation will finalize its tax exemption and will be awarding 100 scholarships for the 2001-02 school year.

Publication date: 12/25/2000