Spring 2009 issue of Horizons

John F. Herber Jr., CPA Managing Partner

Welcome Sustainability. Recently the concept of sustainability has been pushed into the forefront as a result of trying economic times. It is our responsibility as professional business advisors to help our clients define the meaning of sustainability as it pertains to their specific business and vision. The word sustainability is all too often confused with simple survival. In challenging economic conditions, many businesses shift significant resources toward short-term cost cutting. In many cases, our clients can best benefit by focusing on long-term organizational strategies, helping them to gain market share when conditions recover. Now is the time for the forward thinking organization to assess its market, look at competitors and evaluate its long-term plan. When many companies are simply looking at ways to cut costs, our clients are advised to look at ways to streamline business processes, increase efficiencies and improve long-term profitability. The organization that stresses these underpinning disciplines will emerge the new leader in its respective industry. In this issue we examine sustainability from many different perspectives. HOK’s Clark Davis discusses the link between environmental and organizational sustainability, while an in-depth interview with Sam Toumayan of Meridian Enterprises Corporation teaches us how to sustain a business through adaptation and versatility. Finally, we explore the story of Bick Group, an innovative company that is leading the way in optimizing building operations from both a technical and facilities standpoint. I invite you to read this issue and offer us your feedback. Our goals as an organization revolve around two basic principles: to ensure we have both totally satisfied team members and totally satisfied clients. I hope to hear from you – john.herber@rubinbrown.com.

RubinBrown

St. Louis office One North Brentwood St. Louis, MO 63105

Kansas City office 10975 Grandview Drive Bldg. 55 Suite 600 Overland Park, KS 66210

Pleasant reading.