Home Sweet Home - Are you there?

As I read about the economy and as I watch some of the things going on around me in this industry I feel very good each and every day about where I am in my professional career. Working for The Vernon Company a 4th generation family owned business located in the mid-west I find myself very comfortable.

I have noted recently that there is feeding frenzy of sorts going on between several large companies in an attempt to pick off some of the distributor owners and salespeople who have been less fortunate than me. By less fortunate I mean that they find them self in a position where they do not have a "home, sweet, home" for their valuable clients and their business.

If you too find yourself in this position what are you looking for in a new home? I think it is very important for you to ask this question before you start to look around. The Vernon Company would provide a great home for most people looking for a place to continue their career. We recognize that it might not be a great fit for everyone. Again a lot will depend n what your objectives are for the future.

We recommend that you do an in depth financial analysis of any prospective employers or suitors. While I will not throw stones at any other companies, many other will, so for that reason do not believe everything you are told....by me or anyone else for that reason. Do your homework and your due diligence.

See this excerpt from a letter that our President, Chris Vernon recently posted on our website for distribution to customers and prospects....

Vernon Company has an impressive balance sheet showing over $23 million in assets, $15 million in equity, $4 million in cash and ZERO long term debt! We are a conservatively managed business and are structured to prosper in any economic environment.

We know of no other large distributor in this industry who can make this statement and more importantly back it up with audited financials. This is huge if you want to find a place to call home, sweet, home for your orders for a long time to come.

If your business or the company that you work for is surviving and doing well I say congratulations and keep it up. This is an indication that it is being managed properly keeping costs in lines with revenue. It is at times like these that the well managed companies can not only survive but they can thrive!

So if you find yourself shopping for a new home remember it is the foundation that supports the house and in this case it is the financial foundation that it going to be critical in your decision to give you the confidence in knowing that you will not be home shopping again two or three years down the road.

Financial stability and the company leadership have to be the most important things that you consider when making a change. You can learn a lot about stability by pulling a Dun and Bradstreet Report. Ask any prospective employer for their D & B Number. You can also ask for two to three years of financial statements. If you ask us for either of these two things you will have them right away! If you ask some others you might not get them at all....What does that say to you? To me it would not instill a lot of confidence in my choosing them for future employment.

What do they have to hide? H-m-m-m-m-m?

It makes me wonder! How about you?