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advertisement AUDIO • VISUAL Company profile: AVI SYSTEMS Video conferencinghelps companies travel light “For today’s competitive companies, high definition video conferencing means big savings and bigger opportunities.” — Joe Baer RVP of AVI Systems HD video conferencing enables companies to go beyond their borders without ever leaving the office. A high definition conference offers a real-time, crystal clear alternative to the in-person appointment. Companies can hold meetings, presentations and training sessions with employees, customers and business partners all over the world; they can increase the scope of their travel without ever booking another trip. A video conferencing solution saves time and money on business travel, while adding flexibility and efficiency to all business correspondence. “High definition video conferencing is one of the best business solutions we have seen,” says Joe Baer, Regional Vice President of AVI Systems, Inc. in Eden Prairie. “With today’s high definition displays, you can get as close to real life, face-to-face meetings as possible when talking to people through video conferencing.” One of AVI’s small business clients conducted an ROI study on the cost of traveling between its Eden Prairie and Brooklyn Park offices for meetings, and found that a video conferencing system would pay for itself in less than one year and cut meeting times by two hours in travel time. It also reduces the company’s carbon footprint, another attractive “green” benefit of this technology, notes Baer. The benefits go beyond travel savings, he adds. AVI installed a video conferencing system for a client that needed to resolve production issues with its source in China. The company is now able to view its product on screen in real time, make decisions quicker and get its products to market in a timely manner, which has resulted in higher profits. “We offer customized solutions that can fit any budget,” says Baer. “In fact, many people are surprised to know that of the 1,600 projects we complete in a year, the average costs less than $30,000. We are transparent in our pricing; we show people exactly how much the design, installation and equipment actually costs. AVI Systems offers creative and reliable design-build solutions, everything from a projector and screen project to command/control rooms with video walls and the latest security. It also provides 24/7 help desk for video conferencing, a Watchdog monitoring service exclusive to AVI, and a fully staffed service advertisement THREE KEY TRENDS IN AUDIO/VIDEO BUSINESS SOLUTIONS • Stream live or stored video over a company network, anywhere, anytime, any network. • Digital signage for employee/ client communication. Display your company message with highly visible signage targeted to your audience. • Telepresence. Provides a natural, “across the table” experience where every participant is shown in true-to-life dimensions. department to handle maintenance issues. “In today’s global economy, audio and visual technology requires the same serious attention that you give to your telephony and IT networking decisions,” says Baer. “It’s simply that important.” AVI Systems, Inc. 9675 W 76th Street Eden Prairie, MN 55344 Phone: 952-929-3700 Contact: Joe Baer, Vice President Joe.baer@avisystems.com www.avisystems.com
QQUOTABLE “Growth sucks cash out of a business, so you need professional advice to forecast that. Once you’re in the position that you’re short, it’s hard to recover. When you’re at the desperate point, it closes a lot of doors.” — RICK WALL, Highland Bank CASE STUDY Roden Iron’s trial by fire Kelly Roden, president of Roden Iron Inc. in Milaca, details the heavy lifting she’s done in 2008 as she put her company’s financial foundation in place. She started her steel erector company in 2007, and successfully won bids to put up the steel frames for a pharmacy and a fitness club, and other commercial buildings. By April 2008 growth started to get out of hand, especially during a trial by fire when her husband and business partner, Brian, took a crew of ironworkers to a big job in Iowa and was gone for a couple of weeks. “During that month we had five jobs come in and we had only one foreman, no trucks, no money,” she says. “My payroll went from $3,000 a week to $20,000 a week. Also, the union dues and benefits package went from $6,000 to $11,000 due each month, up to $29,000. “I was real shocked and not sleeping nights of course. It’s been a major wakeup call for me,” says Roden, adding that her initial list of to-dos in 2008— whether to rent or own new vehicles, how to retain ironworkers, and whether to add office staff—was too limited in scope. “I realized I had bigger issues going on,” she says. So Roden got busy. While researching finance options she discovered the Initiative Foundation in Little Falls, www.ifound.org, and met with the director, who also referred her to the Small Business Development Center in Brainerd, a state agency. Folks there helped her put her cash flow statement and balance sheet together, and helped her get $130,000 in working capital. That includes a $50,000 loan from the Initiative Foundation, which followed a $50,000 line of credit from Falcon Bank in Foley, Minnesota, and a $30,000 equipment loan, also from the bank, secured by equipment. “You’ve really gone a long way toward helping your cash flow situation,” says Rick Wall, CEO of St. Paul-based Highland Bank, who was asked by Upsize to provide her with advice. He stresses that Roden has to keep vigilant. What are your industry’s cycles? What is your job pipeline? What do you do when work stops in the winter? What will your tax obligation be at the end of the year? “I’m fishing for what unexpected might be out there,” Wall says, and that’s what every business owner needs to do as well. Wall then shares a parting rule, applicable to every growing company. “Continue to conserve your cash. Don’t say, ‘We’ve made it, and I’m going to buy this.’ Just wait and see because you just don’t know what the next turn will be.” UPSIZE | 8 | ONLINE NOV08
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