FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:

Sandy Harmsen, 909.387.9862

Jessica McLeish, 909.805.1236

Companies will receive services at reduced or no charge

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (March 23, 2010) – The Workforce Investment Board of San Bernardino County has obligated a total of $849,700 in stimulus funding to provide free or reduced cost business and Lean consulting services to 80 county employers.  The contracts, approved by the Board of Supervisors last week, are among several of the Workforce Investment Board’s initiatives to aid businesses in reducing costs, remaining stable and continuing to employ the county’s workforce.

Companies receiving services will be selected based on the business’ ability to impact employment in the county. Services will be implemented within the next six months to provide employers with immediate assistance.

“Small and mid-sized businesses are the heart of our county and their prosperity will help maintain jobs and revive the local economy,” said Chairman and Fourth District Supervisor Gary Ovitt. “These new contracts were put in place to give business owners the guidance and tools they need now to ensure their continued success in our county.”

Two contracts will provide Lean consulting to help businesses become more efficient. Lean principles eliminate budgetary waste, standardize and automate processes and improve time management. Application of these principles lead to cost savings, efficiency gains and less time spent on corrective actions.

DEIVIN Consulting Group was assigned $450,000 to assist 30 county businesses in utilizing the Lean Six Sigma and Simple Process Improvement principles.

An additional $100,000 was obligated to San Bernardino Community College District’s Professional Development Center, which will counsel 10 businesses.

“The Workforce Investment Board continues to work quickly to assign funds, mobilize resources and expand programs that keep business owners and the workers they employ on their feet,” said Sandy Harmsen, executive director of the Workforce Investment Board.  “We are funding programs that directly meet the needs and demands expressed by our county’s employers.”

Two contracts will pay for businesses owners and CEOs at small and medium-sized companies to receive one-on-one coaching and mentoring services.  

Estrada Strategies will help 30 business executives develop management skills, business acumen and financial strategies that will drive results and position companies for success. The company mentors businesses using its proprietary Core Disciplines of growth, administration, operations, client retention, finance and information technology. Estrada Strategies maintains a 100 percent success rate among its clients and has worked with companies. The contract was approved for the amount of $150,000.

The Weston Group Inc. will mentor 12 businesses and provide them with the knowledge, tools and tactics to master the fundamentals of business. The company utilizes the ActionCOACH Business Coaching systems, which helps businesses improve on strategic planning, financial budgeting and management processes. The programs will include an initial business assessment, weekly executive coaching sessions and monthly team training. A total of $149,700 was contracted for The Weston Group’s services.

For more information on applying for these services, contact the Workforce Investment Board at 800-451-JOBS.

About the Workforce Investment Board of San Bernardino County

The Workforce Investment Board of San Bernardino County is comprised of private business representatives and public partners appointed by the County Board of Supervisors.  It strives to develop skills of the county’s workforce through partnerships with business, education and community-based organizations.

The Workforce Investment Board, through the county’s Economic Development Agency and Workforce Development Department, operates the county’s Employment Resource Centers and Business Resource Centers. The Employment Resource Centers provide individuals with job training, placement and the tools to strengthen their skills to achieve a higher quality of life, and the Business Resource Centers support and provide services to the county’s businesses including employee recruitment.

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