Ken Graves, Chairman & CEO of TalentValue International, Inc. has over 40 years of experience in strategic business  planning, human resource management and consulting, HR Assessments, background & drug screening services, career transition and career coaching, leadership development, performance management, channel marketing and motivation, and HR cloud technologies with the purpose to help organizations improve performance and reduce cost of operations.

Ken has consulted for large best-in-class Fortune 500 companies, non-profits, and many small business entities in a variety of industries. Kens has extensive experience working with organizations in a wide variety of industries including commercial and residential contractors, dental, roofing, restaurants, hotels, insurance, banking, property management, fire apparatus distribution, healthcare,  kitchen remodeling, manufacturing, IT technology, construction, architecture businesses, non-profit organizations, and federal and state government.

Prior to founding TalentValue International, Inc. Ken, held various senior management roles with several Fortune 500 Companies as well as medium and small businesses.

Ken holds a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Marketing.  During Ken’s career he has served on the board of several colleges and associations.

Diane Stevens is the Vice President, Client Success Center at TalentValue.  Diane’s areas of expertise are career transition counseling, business-to-business computer troubleshooting, computer training, client support specialist and small business owner.  Diane has been certified in career transition and holds a Bachelor of Science-Magna Cum Laude – from Bryant College, class of 1983.

Diane has authored professional development tools including newsletters, training webinars and community college courses for the working population.  Diane has participated in professional development workshops at national conferences sponsored by various industry associations.  As a professional Career Consultant, she has assisted many people in developing long-term career growth plans.

As a coordinator at a local community college, she assisted local businesses in developing onsite training courses for their employees; assisted secondary schools in developing programs to improve partner-student-teacher communications and assisted at-risk students in career development.

As a Client Support Specialist, she is experienced in delivering online webinars and face-to-face training sessions.  She has worked closely with clients on how to implement talent and performance management programs for their companies.   As part of an ongoing initiative to improve client service, she established a Small Business Division that catered to businesses with less than 100 employees.  This under-100e Small Business Division became an integral part of the company’s ongoing Client Services Department due to the increased financial success of her team’s efforts at business development and support.

As a Computer Trainer, she has developed and delivered training programs on “Introduction to Internet, Windows Operating System, and Microsoft Office Software.”  She has worked closely with unemployed workers looking to transition to new careers that require computer literacy.  She has established a program that has won accolades from state organizations trying to assist injured workers in returning to work.

Peter Brown is a highly experienced professional that collaborates with management to identify and assess Human Resource Management Issues and effective solutions.  During his 38 year career, Peter has managed the H.R. function in the manufacturing and hospitality industries.  He is currently an Affiliate with TalentValue International Inc. and Founder of The Workforce Builder, creator of The WORKER TRAINING System^tm.

Major areas of strength and qualifications include:

• Recruiting and Selection, Employee Relations, Training Management
• Management & supervisory trainer/coach
• Excellent communication and written skills as well as interactive multimedia production experience.
• Adult learning concepts and practices for instructional design including setting performance targets, creating video simulations and producing eLearning courses for internet distribution and learner certification
• Project Management including the design and development of 300+ training solutions in a variety of industries for companies such as: Acushnet Rubber Company, Inc. AMETEK, Bay State Gas Co., Buick Motor Division, Chesebrough-Pond’s, Clearplass Containers, Cole Sewell, Colonial Gas Co., Conestoga Wood Specialties, DuPont, Electri-cord, Georgia-Pacific, Kraft Foods, Li’l Red Hen Mini Marts, North Iowa Area Community College, Ocean Spray, OMNOVA Solutions, OSRAM Sylvania, Parker Hannifin-Chomerics Division, Pennsylvania College Of Technology, Women & Infants Hospital, Ward Manufacturing-ACP Division and Winnebago Industries.

 Peter has also been invited to speak at several national industrial conferences including:

• The International Conference on Productivity and Operational Excellence in Manufacturing
• The American Association of Community Colleges,  Workforce Development Institute Conference
• National Defense Industries Association Workforce Consortium
• Shingo Prize Award Conferences (3 separate years)

1. 35 years in Senior Management and a member of Wakefern Food Corp. Executive Committee
2. VP Planning and Business Development
   1. Store and Member Development
   2. Real Estate
   3. Strategic and Business Planning
   4. Market Research
   5. Transportation
3. WLN Consultants LLC – 2003

Are you looking to expand your choices and options? Do you need more time with your customers and your employees? Are you faced with too many issues and too few choices? WLN Consulting is a specialist in strategic planning, business success strategies, and family business succession.

The ever changing landscape of federal, state and local employment, labor and business-related laws requires the creative, strategic and practical legal solutions consistently delivered by the attorneys of BAUCH ZUCKER HATFIELD LLC. We are committed to counseling and providing representation to business, non-profit and governmental organizations in all phases of the employer-employee relationship and in the broader law-related challenges they face, including litigation defense when necessary. We understand that an employer’s greatest asset is its human resources. BZH attorneys are dedicated to working closely with clients to develop solutions to employment problems affecting the efficiency and productivity of the workplace. We also understand the daily and shifting challenges inherent in operating any business, non-profit or governmental organization today and can offer solutions addressing those challenges. Whether your organization is just emerging or long established, BZH attorneys are prepared to help you solve the puzzle of workplace legal issues so your organization can succeed in today’s complex business and legal environments.

Areas of Practice: Employment Law; Labor Law; Employee Benefits; Executive Compensation; Litigation; Education Law; Investigations and Corporate Compliance; Training; Business Law

The Lindenberger Group is an award winning human resources consulting firm located near Princeton, NJ. We are experts in career coaching, customized training workshops, e-learning, sexual harassment, mentoring, 360-degree assessment and feedback, HR audits, employee handbooks, and more.

Since 2001, we’ve been shaping client success through our bottom-line approach, long-term perspective and professional acumen. We work closely with our clients, and have developed long-term relationships based on integrity, flexibility and performance. Similar to their budgets, our clients are big and small. They include Fortune 500 companies, small businesses, non-profit organizations, global entities, and individuals.

Natasha is the founder of Next Level Nonprofits, an online training company dedicated to equipping nonprofit executives with the skills and support them need to enjoy successful, sustainable, and satisfying nonprofit careers. She is the wife of one, the mom of 3 and lives in Vancouver, BC.

Having been a business owner herself for 10 years Natasha understands how easy it is as a leader to get caught up in putting out fires and lose your focus on your core responsibility of blazing trails and is committed to providing the most relevant, practical resources to today’s nonprofit executives.

Ken is an executive with more than 30 years’ experience and expertise in the financial services and insurance industry. This experience and expertise has been gleaned while working on both the business side and information technology side of the industries. His areas of expertise include business and systems operations, strategic planning, operational efficiency and excellence, management and budgeting responsibility, and direct management of large service center operations, as well as large, professional information technology departments.

Ken has been a vice president with both Prudential Insurance and Nationwide Insurance. He also has previous experience in managing his own technology consulting firm. Ken has been selected as a Premier 100 Information Technology Leader by Computerworld Magazine. This honor recognized Ken as one of the top 100 influential IT leaders in the United States.

His recent and current consulting expertise focuses on the delivery of insightful consultative expertise, leadership and team coaching, to move organizations to high accountability and high performance teams. He has developed a client base consisting of Fortune 500 companies, national manufacturing companies, governmental entities, and academic institutions.

Ken obtained a degree in Manpower and Industrial Relations from The Ohio State University.

Don runs a Management/ HR Consulting company that works with business owners and organizations that feel they can add more to the bottom line, but don’t quite know what to do. We believe that organizations can make upwards of 42% more profit based on the actions they take.

Any organization can make step change improvements within a defined period of time with the right focus, especially in the area of Leadership and Supervision. Our service is based on appropriately identifying problems and recommending measurable results based solutions.

Don’t Make incremental changes, make STEP CHANGES!

Don is an HR Professional with expertise in all HR areas with specific skills in Employee Relations, Leadership Development, Workforce Planning and HR Systems. He has many years of experience in a Corporate Office and at site locations of a Fortune 100 company as well as small businesses and organizations. He has conducted organizational assessments and provided management oversight for employee relations and leadership issues. His strengths include assisting organizations improve performance through enhanced leadership and HR skills. Don holds a Bachelor’s degree as well as a Master’s degree in Organizational Management.

Major Consultants, LLC was created in 2001 to provide labor relations and employment consulting services for a dozen small union and non-union clients.  Major Consultants provides hands-on continuous involvement with the clients so that all aspects of the employment situation is addressed and monitored.  Extensive experience in all areas of labor relations such as contract negotiations, grievance handling and arbitration are provided at a reasonable cost.  Experience in working for EEOC and Post Office Mediation programs also provides practical experience and counseling for all employment issues.

Assignments include contract negotiations, arbitration, grievance handling, wage surveys, employee attitude surveys, and human resources audits.  Cover all union issues including drug and alcohol testing, absenteeism and job assignments and productivity. Provide supervisory training in such areas as grievance handling and discipline, union avoidance, communication and listening skills, stress reduction and management skills.

• The very large payroll organizations like ADP and Paychex have tremendous sales and marketing arms. Their service is OK. Their product offerings are OK.  They do a reasonable job, but not always to your complete satisfaction. It is an important function but you just don’t think about it too often. If you want to find a cost effective alternative to the big companies, you should look at the many possibilities that are available to you.
• You have options.
  • Our payroll service organizations are flexible, reliable, accountable and personable. They focus on providing you with the services you need.
  • They take care of your taxes accurately.
  • They are bonded to protect you.
  • They have some of the best and up-to-date HRIS systems available today for issues such as handling unemployment claims, compensation, leave management, document management, benefit enrollment, and COBRA to name a few.
  • They link to time and attendance systems to keep track of hours and make your job easier. Web-based time clocks; Complete scheduling system; Biometric clocks, swipe cards and cellular GPS time collection.
  • It’s one less thing you have to worry about.
  • Of course, not every payroll service will be right for you. One size does not fit all situations.  So let us understand what you are looking to accomplish and help you make the right decision for your organization.
  • If you would like our team of trusted advisors will assist you in evaluating all your Payroll Options add this to Your Challenges Checklist.
    
    

Property and Casualty Insurance Agencies — Protecting you and your family

Benefit Agencies — Guiding you through the world of benefits

Beyond Perks — Cash Back Benefits for the purchases you make

Voluntary benefits

John Hadley — Proven strategies to land the job and pay you deserve

Telecom Consulting – Voice and data expense review

Energy reduction – Saving money on your energy costs

IT professionals

Steve Lauterback — Teaching clients how to find customers

David Hanas — Website design to build and attract customers

Linnea Blair -Advisors On Target - San Diego Business Coaching and Consulting.

Wealth management

Accounting Firms

Family Business Consulting

We met Doug Duncan at the North American Repossessor’s Summit in March of 2013. His presentation was very informative.  We were having meetings at the Summit to discuss strategic issues surrounding our staff motivation, pay and overall performance of our business and his presentation fit exactly the challenges we were facing.  We went up and spoke with him.  This conversation made us feel comfortable with his knowledge and had a significant impact on our thinking. We had discussions with and without Doug throughout the weekend and hired him to help us focus on the changes that we had to be made in our leadership team and our business model.  Doug traveled to our office and we had 2 days of meetings to teach and focus on the changes we needed to implement.

After 6 months our results have been incredible:

• Our leadership team is invigorated again and has had a significant change in its behavior and productivity. We are holding ourselves and our personnel accountable for results by committing to, implementing and successfully achieving our objectives.
• We have healthy debates on where we need to go that are allowing us to resolve many of the conflicts that had been holding us back.
• Office productivity is improving each month and over last year.
• We have reduced costs, increased profitability which is positively impacting cash flow.
• As important as any of this, we are focusing throughout every part of the company on taking care of our clients and they are noticing the positive change. This can only put us in a better position to keep current clients and bring on new clients.

Doug’s sense of where and how to use our time, energy, and resources has helped us make better decisions which will propel us to our next level of success. He listens to what we say, provides us with tools and ideas that continue to make a significant difference.

I would recommend Doug, and his business TalentValue, to any company that wants to grow their business successfully.  

— R. Keys
President
American Recovery Specialists of Florida Inc.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

• It has been a pleasure working with you and your “SOAR” process is already paying off dividends.
• Under your supervision, we articulated both long and short-term growth plans, desired goals, and right types of people necessary to implement our plans.
• You reduced internal confusion and processing errors in the development of our “policy and procedures” manual.
• Your employee evaluation process is invaluable. Your ability to breakdown each employee’s position using metrics has given staff the opportunity to accurately measure their progress towards individual and team goals. Our review process is no longer subjective; it is quantifiable and congruous to the goals of the agency.
• The new hiring process you developed has been critical to our success. It has also allowed us to immediately identify candidates whose philosophies and behavioral characteristics are harmonious with the philosophy and characteristics of the agency.
• The entire process is like “pure rocket fuel.” You’ve helped us break through the glass ceiling and take our business to another level. Thanks again!

— R. Pavese / M. McCormick
Pavese-McCormick (Insurance Agency)

We have a system in place that really makes a difference in selecting the right people for the job. We become dependent on our employees and since working together with you, we have found a more dependable system for hiring and training. It has paid off with customers who recognize the quality of the people that work for us. Now I let my competitors hire the people I choose not to hire at my company.

— B. Drucks – Drucks, Inc. (Painting Contractor)

The selection system for new hires has helped tremendously. Today our turnover rate has been reduced significantly (down as much as 30 %) and we do exit reviews to make sure that our day to day practices are in alignment with our goals. We know what to do to find and hire the people we need. It is never easy, but at least we can manage better the people we do find. Their productivity is likely to be higher, and the Step One Survey test has helped to weed out the really awful candidates that we use to hire before.

— G. Hoos – Milford Markets (Supermarket)

I have had Doug Duncan as my consultant and friend for almost three years now and he has helped me create a system for hiring and training staff that I would have never been able to implement without him and his company. We now hire people who meet our culture and values, which helps create a more cohesive working environment not to mention makes our company a better and more fun place in which to work. The result has been improved productivity within our management and staff.

My business today has grown over 40% during this period of time in an industry where that is astonishing, and I feel it is no small part due to the HR systems and the business guidance Mr. Duncan has provided. It is not only my pleasure to have him as part of my team but it is my honor to be able to call him my friend. His diligence in teaching and assisting my staff has been invaluable.

I would recommend HR Out of the Box and the whole integrated HR process to anyone who has a true desire to build their company and develop a true system of excellence. Doug epitomizes his company hence expect professionalism, patience, punctuality and pragmatism.

If he can’t help your business and make it better you should probably look for some other line of work.

— R. Cuellar
President and CEO Cuellar LLC (supermarket)
d.b.a. Shop Rite of Passaic/Clifton

I wanted to just take a moment to let you know just how successful the ad was that we ran. We received over 65 resumes! Many of those, when asked why they responded to the ad, said the “clever wording” caught their attention. It was definitely a help and the ad stood out from your typical ad.

I also found it very helpful to use your interviewing forms, especially the phone interview form. This allowed us to weed out those that did not give the best answers as well as allowed us to follow up further with those who did. It was also nice to use the interview form with each person interviewed, asking the same questions each time …comparing apples to apples. I found our best two candidates even gave similar answers to some of the questions.

The last part your process that was a big help, was the “pre-employment” testing – the Profiles PXT. This allowed us to get to know the potential candidates even a little better and gave us insight into things that may not have come up in the interview process. Using this tool will allow us to be sure that we meet our new employee’s learning needs as well as keep her stimulated in the job for the future.

—R. St. Phard –
Customized Benefits Solutions, Inc. (Benefits Insurance Agency)

As I look back over where we were as a company and where we are today, our accomplishments never cease to amaze me. The supermarket industry as a whole has wanted to embrace human resource concepts but always found some rather unique ways of short-circuiting at store level. The favorite expression was, “it looks good on paper, but it won’t work here”.

During the years 1998 – 2000 our associate turnover rate was around 72%. In the past few years the rate was reduced to 49%, then to 34%, and now to a little over 20%. While some of this may be attributed to economic factors, there is no doubt in my mind that the bulk of this improvement is directly due to the programs we have developed with you.

Our customer service scores have risen from 87% last year to an all time high of 94% compared with others who are averaging 74%.

As a vital indicator of our success, our sales increases over the last few years have been an incredible 6% , then 8 % , then 12 %, and finally last year over 16%.

Once again Doug, thank you for showing us how to L.E.A.D. so we can S.O.A.R.!

—B. Clare / J. Kelly
Oakland ShopRite – (supermarket)

We have just completed the implementation of our Strategic Plan. This plan and process is one of the best grass root engineered strategy I have seen in my forty years in business. It is not without a lot of work, but it does bring management and associates together for a common cause.

Doug’s support throughout the process was invaluable. I believe without it we would have had a financial plan and our associates would give us the usual “Ho-hum”. Our current program has generated enthusiasm and ideas embraced by all.

I believe we have broken through a cultural barrier I’ve been faced with for three years.

—B. Kenny -Delaware ShopRite (supermarkets)

HR Out of the Box is the best investment and bargain I’ve ever made. For years I’ve been trying to transition from being a tradesman to being a contractor/businessman and just couldn’t get it done. The thought of writing job descriptions and creating an evaluation system for employees was just too overwhelming for me. But the package that HR Out of the Box offers has all of that and a lot more that I look forward to putting into my business.

And I haven’t been left to have to figure it all out on my own. Doug Duncan has been totally responsive to my needs and has helped me know where to start and how to proceed. He not only has called me back promptly but has even called me out of the blue to see how I’m progressing. Doug and this package are helping me get my old bones off the ladder and I’m really enjoying the change. I’m energized and excited about my business again and it’s fun going to work.

I would recommend this package and Doug’s services to anyone who wants to deal with employees in a manner that builds loyalty and enthusiasm and serves customers well.

—G. McPhee George McPhee Painting, Inc

We are reaping the rewards of your work everyday. These principles and techniques can be applied not just in our business, but in any organization that wants to improve. I have been asked to be the President of our trade association chapter. Years ago I would not have been too confident to assume an authority figure amongst fellow contractors when my own confidence in my company was not too high.

Today, with your help, I not only have given my company a solid foundation to build and prosper but also confidence in the direction we are heading and the proper efforts and guidance to get there.

I feel we are a good company and we are getting better everyday. I greatly appreciate your help in getting us there. I have to admit I’m enjoying the ride.

— J. Ahern – Ahern Painting

HR Out of the Box has been extremely valuable to us as a company. We are a painting company with 12 painters working on average throughout the year. In the past we struggled with finding and keeping good people.

This system / program came with everything we need for the hiring process. We were able to implement the program immediately and have since not only found better people but we know better what to do once they are on the team. When you are running a small business you simply don’t have time to reinvent the wheel when it comes to human resources. This system was just what we needed.

— M. Orme – American Painting and Decorating

Just a note to let you know that I found the few days we were together some of the most valuable time I have spent on building my practice. Your passion for your business is infectious and you really know your business. The information I received from you and the various tools you have licensed me to use are already producing dividends. I have satisfied a burning desire for one of my existing clients and I have picked up an entirely new client who overheard my conversation on HR Out of the Box with one of my practice partners while dining in his hotel. I had nearly covered my cost to attend your training session and your licensing fees before ever reaching home – amazing.

Perhaps more importantly, I am directing some of the tools you gave me to better service my clients toward my own business. It is really making a difference and I have only been back to my office for about a week.

I would recommend to anyone wanting to explore a self-directed business opportunity – any opportunity – that spending 24 hours with you is the best investment they can make in their future.

For an entrepreneur looking for a business opportunity that provides personal satisfaction as well as a very good income, your HR Out of the Box, Profiles International and Your Company University package of products makes for a winning combination and a very worthy investment.

I look forward to working with you… and have I said “thanks”?

— Arthur P. Lessing – WorkSure, LLC

I was so struck by your presentation, I felt like I was in church and the Preacher’s sermon was meant just for me!!!”

My statement to you at the New Orleans national trade show is still ringing in my own ears now that I have the presentation in ‘full color’ and can read it over and over. You made the presentation interesting and I will be applying it to way I run my business. We will certainly be noticing changes in our future here at TEX BLAST.

We already plan to re-structure our HR program. All thanks to your generous sharing of your knowledge!

— L. Cummings – Tex Blas