Metro Detroit Tech Firm, Great Lakes Technologies Group, Shining From Focus On Employees

    SOUTHFIELD, Mich., Sept. 10 While numerous tech firms are
struggling due to the economic effects on both the automotive and IT
industries, Southfield-based Great Lakes Technologies Group is proving that a
company's strength lies in its focus on employees.
    Over the course of a two-day period last week, in separate ceremonies,
GLTG was recognized for its strength as a technology services provider and for
its commitment to providing an excellent workplace for its people.
    At last Friday's black-tie gala, Automation Alley recognized GLTG as the
first-ever recipient of its "Technology Company of the Year" award.  The
Oakland County consortium, led by L. Brooks Patterson, named market strength,
employment growth, and commitment to quality as factors in their decision.
With clients like Ford, General Motors, and IBM, the five-year-old firm has
gained an extensive reputation as provider of the highest-quality technology
services, providing stable jobs to over 250 people in the area.
    Only one day earlier, GLTG was named one of the elite "Ten Best Places To
Work" in Southeast Michigan, for the third consecutive year.  The competition,
sponsored by Crain's Detroit Business and IRI, also presented GLTG with three
category awards for organizational strength, communications, and work schedule
practices.  It also came on the heels of Crain's ranking of GLTG as the second
largest web development firm in Southeast Michigan.
    While some companies are fiscally strong at the expense of their
employees, the people of Great Lakes Technologies Group have the highest
respect and gratitude toward the company's owners.  This past spring, IRI did
an independent survey of GLTG employees, and IRI representative William Moskel
attended GLTG's annual meeting to inform the company's employees they had
scored the highest level of satisfaction IRI had ever seen in a company,
including feelings toward the owners.  "You set a new benchmark," he told
GLTG's owners.
    In Crain's September 10 issue on the winners, Christina Hulzar-Goodnough
of IRI was quoted as saying, "I'll admit that I was envious of the sincere
sense of family that they had, more so than the other organizations that I
(visited)."
    When forming Great Lakes Technologies Group five years ago, owners George
Moilanen, Gary Erickson, and Sandy Moore decided from the onset that the only
way to build a strong company was on a foundation of strong employees.
Immediately setting out to build the best compensation packages possible, they
soon proved that contentment leads to loyalty.  With an employee retention
rate of over 92%, clients feel assured that their projects are being developed
through long-term commitment, and prospective employees are attracted by the
extensive perks and benefits available because of the company's stable
financial situation.
    "Companies need cost-effective solutions," says President Sandy Moore,
"and having a partner based locally to their projects, combined with the fact
that we have only the most experienced professionals, provides the security
our clients need to proceed with their IT initiatives in a struggling economy.
We keep our employees here, rather than taking on projects outside of our
region, so we can focus on helping corporations based here in Metro Detroit.
We can provide any kind of technology solution, because we have the resources
to fulfill any need, right here where our clients work and live.  GLTG
benefits from a circular cycle -- clients want our people because of their
loyalty and expertise, and our consultants want to stay with us because of our
stable relationships with our clients.  In the end, everyone wins."

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