Spring 2009 issue of Horizons

Guest ARTICLE Sam Toumayan, Meridian Enterprises Corporation (cont.)

Meridian has developed numerous innovations, like Meridicard ® , over the years. What roles have technology and innovation played in Meridian’s success? They have played a major role. Initially in the field of promotional marketing, we were one of the first companies to invest heavily in technology. Of course, technology is always a risk/reward. We choose to take a risk investing in technology. We run our businesses using different software systems, and these systems increase our productivity. Our investment in technology gives us an advantage because we are a few steps ahead of other companies in the industry. It also helps us get new business that we would not have had otherwise. Are you constantly searching for new technologies to incorporate into your business? We definitely do planning for the long-term. Our IT team and management team are always looking for better tools that would help our business. The rate of change in technology continues to increase. We upgrade systems and hardware when it makes good business sense and is a wise investment.

Meridian began as an incentive travel company. What incentives do you offer for your own employees? How do incentives like these benefit business and corporate culture? We have employee recognition programs for our own employees. We have had this program for a number of years, but we are continually changing and upgrading it. Basically, our employees are recognized by their peers for something exceptional or an innovative idea they might have. They earn points for this recognition and can redeem them in our online catalog. Your company philosophy is as follows: “We will always deliver what we say we will, not just on paper, but in the spirit that it was intended.” How does this philosophy distinguish Meridian’s business practices and corporate culture from the competition? Of course, we have policies and guidelines, but my philosophy is to allow individuals to be creative, to get the job done the best way that they think they can. My way is not always the best way; individuals who perform a job know what is right to do. As long as we are providing valuable solutions for our clients on time and within budget, at the end of the day that is what matters.

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