Crusecom believe that there is an attempt to bring outsourcing jobs back from overseas to smaller cities and towns throughout the United States. In the small Michigan town of Oscoda -- home to about 20,000 people, near the northeast lower peninsula of Michigan along the shores of Lake Huron -- where some say there aren't enough jobs in local retail, government, building, farming and manufacturing industries to keep local residents employed.
"In today global marketplace, these industries operate with lower and lower margins each year," says Art Cruse, CEO of Crusecom Technology Consultant LLC. "I believe the Economic Development challenge for rural Northeast Michigan is (getting) from a commodity economy to a technology based business-driven economy."
Crusecom is one company taking up the challenge, hiring local residence, providing appropriate training, who otherwise would leave rural Michigan to find work in bigger cities. Crusecom went from 8 to 67 employees within 10 months and expect to grow to over 100 employees by the end of 2007. By using the Internet, and the latest asterick-based VoIP System from Fonality, the firm supports over 75,000 calls per month.
Cindy Walker, Director of Operations who manages the call center and Web design services for Crusecom, ? I am amazed that I found a job that matched my education and background in Oscoda and its been a major plus that our employees bring the same positive attitude and experience that continues to make us successful " she says.
There were a number of potential roadblocks to their success, but Crusecom goal was to build a new industry in rural Michigan. This new industry would fundamentally bring more jobs to Iosco and surrounding counties. "We are bursting at the seams in our current facility?, says Leesa Cruse ? CFO. Crusecom expects to expand to a new 15,000 square foot facility this fall. This facility includes a 5000 square foot secure data center that will be used to support the growing demand for Internet and Data solutions and support up to 300 new employees.
But it may take more than one success story to bring additional call centers throughout the U.S, we need other States to see how this success story provided local jobs in a high unemployment county and to help them work to build a similar footprint in their State.
?Our call center footprint works and it has been highly successful and very cost effective. Outsourcing is a direct response to the need for ?cost savings and the right skills?. We have a success story using good old fashioned American ingenuity that is a direct result of our services meeting or exceeding the needs of our clients.? Art Cruse says.
We found that Crusecom was significantly wired for communication and information. This means that they are connected to the global marketplace. For this rural community, Crusecom is a prime example of a leader that recognizes the global economy and how they can fit into it. Crusecom consider itself a local business within the global business community and invest in the infrastructure necessary to optimize the existing advantages and continue to update their business direction to gain additional potential advantages.
Can others create the competitive jobs in rural communities that are needed in order to compete in the global marketplace? Much of what never hits prime news is the real success stories of how small urban-based companies are leveraging the relationship with global marketplace to build new industry in rural America.
?Not to be harsh, but our economic development leaders place their faith in industries of the past. What we need to do is to continue to build a telecommunication ?fiber? infrastructure in our community. I am concerned when local and regional leaders really do not have any ideas of how this infrastructure could further help save our community. Don't get me wrong, these people are sound community leaders, but they have a new industry to learn in the global marketplace. ? Art Cruse says.
The new wealth of America's heartland is once again dependent upon innovators in order to compete for outsourced projects. Success stories, such as Crusecom needs to be told so that the American businesses who would be interested in actually seeing new jobs created closer to home and operated from beautiful rural America communities.
You have probably heard it before, but just in case, I will tell you again. There is no such thing as the perfect church. In fact, if you ever think that you have found the perfect church just remind yourself and it won't be perfect anymore after you join. I know this sounds harsh but the truth is, we are all sinners in need of grace. No person apart from Jesus Christ is perfect, and this means that every church is filled with imperfect people. However, this doesn't mean that we shouldn't look for a quality community of believers to worship with each week. If you are looking for a new church, here are five things to remember...
1. Find a place that teaches God's word. Many churches today will provide great sermons that are nice to listen to and even a little bit uplifting. However, if you want to grow in your faith, find a church that opens up the bible and actually digs in. Look for a body that consistently teaches from God's word and challenges you to take the principles from the bible and put them in action.
2. Find a place where you feel comfortable and welcome. There are some churches where you can walk through the door and you are greeted by a dozen different people who are eager to get to know you. In other places you wonder if you have the plague and everyone is afraid to get too close. You are going to want to find a body where you feel welcome and where you can develop relationships with other believers. This will help you grow roots so that worship doesn't just happen on Sunday's.
3. Find a body that knows where it is going and how it is going to get there. If you find a church that has a clear mission and vision you will know it right away. Everything that they do has a purpose and you will feel that you are part of something bigger than yourself. Churches that have clear purpose are unified, active and have an energy that makes them appealing to almost anyone including non believers.
4. Look for a place where you can serve and be involved. Whether you love to teach bible studies, mow the lawn or cook meals, it is important that you find a place where you can use your gifts. Look for a place where there is stuff going on that you can get involved in. If you are gifted in a certain area then find out what type of opportunities that are offered for service. Find a place to plug in and make the body your home.
5. Find a church that makes evangelism and community service a priority. Too many churches are constantly caught looking inward while completely ignoring their communities and the lost people all around them. Ask how many people have come to know Christ in the past year. You might be surprised how little this number is in most churches. Also ask what the body is doing or planning on doing to reach out to their community. Churches with a passion for evangelism and outreach are easy to spot when you ask the right questions.
Armed with these five criteria, you should be able to find a body of believers where you fit and where you can grow. Just remember, there is no such thing as the perfect church. There will always be something that you don't like or someone that rubs you the wrong way. Still, there is nothing better than being involved in a good church.
Both Crusecom & Jeff Mcritchie are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Crusecom has sinced written about articles on various topics from VOIP. Art is the owner of Crusecom. He has extensive work experience with AT&T, Sun Microsystems and Apple Computers. His effort to bring a new market in Rural America has become a passion that continues to grow.. Crusecom's top article generates over 720 views. to your Favourites.
Jeff Mcritchie has sinced written about articles on various topics from Binding Machines, Computers and The Internet and Shopping. Jeff McRitchie is the director of marketing for . Before joining the staff at MyBinding he worked for three years as an associate pastor in the Hill. Jeff Mcritchie's top article generates over 74000 views. to your Favourites.