Three weeks ago, CBI Telecommunications made a notable impact at the Great Lakes Women’s Business Conference 2024, held in Novi, Michigan on September 24th and 25th. This event, hosted by the Great Lakes Women’s Business Council (Great Lakes WBC), aimed to support women and minority-owned businesses through networking, education, and corporate connections. CBI, as a standout participant, hosted a heartfelt gathering that brought together 10 corporations and Women Business Enterprises (WBEs), highlighting the company’s inspiring journey. Attendees were drawn to CBI’s transformation from a small, woman-owned business to a leader in Technology Expense Management. The event showcased CBI’s dedication to fostering work-life balance, inclusivity, and innovation. CBI’s mission to help women build meaningful careers while balancing family life resonated strongly throughout the event.
From Humble Beginnings to Industry Leadership
Since its founding in 1991 by Denise Booms-Pepin, CBI has experienced significant growth. Denise’s vision was to create an environment where women, especially working mothers, could thrive in their careers without compromising their personal lives.
During its early days, CBI mainly focused on telecom invoice audits and cost optimization. The company quickly established a reputation for delivering measurable results.
Pioneering the gain-share model, CBI ensured that clients only paid when real savings were achieved, a practice that attracted major names like the American Red Cross, Gannett, and Kohler. However, these accomplishments didn’t come easily. Competing against larger firms like IBM and AT&T, CBI had to prove its capabilities in a challenging market.
As CBI expanded, it reached significant milestones:
– 1999: Secured a national contract with the American Red Cross.
– 2002: Managed telecom expenses for Gannett across 62 newspapers and TV stations.
– 2004: Partnered with Kohler, managing their 10,000-device mobility estate.
– 2010: Expanded globally by partnering with Delphi.
By 2011, CBI achieved WBENC certification, solidifying its role in the Women Business Enterprise community and opening doors to new partnerships. This certification was pivotal for growth, leading to contracts with Fortune 50 companies across various industries, including insurance and manufacturing.
In 2023, CBI entered a global partnership with Saaswedo, enhancing its solutions in telecom expense management. By 2024, CBI had secured a major deal with one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies, further establishing itself as an industry leader.
The Core Values That Drive CBI’s Success
CBI’s core values of empowerment, innovation, inclusivity, and work-life balance have been at the foundation of its success. These principles have shaped CBI’s company culture and strengthened its client relationships and have been a driving force behind the company’s growth.
By cultivating a diverse team, CBI fosters creativity and innovation, making the company better equipped to address a wide range of client needs. This approach also strengthens client relationships, as the company’s inclusive perspective ensures a deeper understanding of diverse business challenges.
As CBI continues to expand, it remains deeply committed to integrating its core values of integrity, collaboration, and respect into every facet of its operations. This focus on values is not limited to specific departments but is embedded in all aspects of the company, from hiring practices to client interactions. To ensure these principles endure, leadership plays a vital role in modeling and reinforcing them, guiding the organization’s culture as it grows.
Moreover, CBI emphasizes employee engagement, creating an inclusive environment where every team member feels empowered to contribute to the company’s mission. By nurturing this sense of belonging, CBI strengthens its internal culture. As the organization scales and diversifies, this organization will ensure that CBI continues to deliver high-quality service while retaining top talent.
To maintain alignment with its values, CBI regularly conducts assessments of its practices and policies, allowing the company to evolve without compromising its core principles. These assessments ensure that, even as CBI adapts to industry changes, it stays true to the values that have driven its success. By focusing on cultural integration, leadership commitment, employee engagement, and continuous evaluation, CBI is well-equipped to face future challenges. This approach ensures that as the company grows, it remains firmly rooted in its dedication to client success, innovation, and the values that have always defined it.
Attendees’ Enthusiastic Feedback
The feedback from the Great Lakes Women’s Business Conference was overwhelmingly positive. Participants admired CBI’s ability to scale its operations while staying true to its original mission of supporting professional women. Attendees were moved by the transparency with which CBI shared its journey, particularly its challenges in breaking into a male-dominated industry.
Several attendees from the WBE community were particularly impressed with CBI’s ability to foster meaningful connections with corporate partners and fellow WBEs. CBI’s commitment to building strong, lasting partnerships resonated throughout the event, leaving a lasting impression on those present.
The work-from-home model, which CBI implemented early on, was another standout feature of its culture. At the Great Lakes Women’s Business Conference, attendees praised CBI for its forward-thinking approach to creating flexible work conditions, allowing women to excel in both their personal and professional lives.
Attendees’ positive reactions underscore the strong relationships formed during the event and the enthusiasm for future collaborations.
Overall, the event was not just a celebration of Denise and CBI’s journey but also a testament to the strength of the WBE community, leaving attendees inspired and eager for continued engagement.