ATLANTA — For design/build firm IBT Enterprises Chairman and CEOMylle Mangum it feels good to see the company living up to itspotential.

Over the past 22 years IBT Enterprises has adapted and expandedits financial services in-store branching design roots to includeeverything from construction and project management to consultingand training services for retail banking environments whiledeveloping specialty retail.

“From the beginning when we brought two retail segments togetherin a mutually beneficial way with in-store banking and as we'vebroadened our reach, our focus has been to bring our thought,design and operational leadership to our clients,” said Mangum. “Inaddition to reinforcing our commitment to the financial servicescommunity by broadening our scope of services, the shift to servinga specialty retail platform has allowed the company to benefit froman expanding client portfolio and new revenue streams.”

Mangum took over the company in 2003 with an eye on growth. Atthe time she says the firm was in debt and had shifted its focusfrom the financial services side to more millwork andfabrication.

“We rearranged our products and services, expanded into othermarkets and really just started living the energy behind our retailresults tagline,” said Mangum. “Our major strength has always beenour client relationships–they simply love us. Moving forward we'vejust been building on that trust they have in us and continuedeveloping innovative solutions.”

To capitalize on key business trends and aggressively moveforward with its growth plans meant having the right team in placeso Mangum has worked on building not only a “dream team”, butcreating an environment where top talent can thrive. Monthlymeetings are held where the staff of 50 discusses everything fromstrategy and current projects to the latest company news.

“We try to create a sense of empowerment with every one of ouremployees,” said Mangum. “Our environment is one of sharedresponsibility and there is an excitement about what were doingthat is drawing a lot of long service employees back. Our abilityto bring speed to market is one of our critical strengths soworking together and having the talent in-house and not outsourcingallows us to do that.” Mangum's strategy seems to be working. In2006 the firm had a 20% increase in revenue. In addition,partnerships, which have been key under Mangum's leadershipcontinued in 2006. IBT not only signed a major partnershipagreement with Banuestra Financial Corporation (formerly El Banco)to serve the Latino community, but also formed an exclusivepartnership with CUNA Strategic Services to help credit unionstailor their products and services for the underserved Latinocommunity. Under the innovative program credit unions can reach outto the Latino market by offering needed products and services in awelcoming environment focusing on: promoting financial literacy,providing culturally sensitive branches and offering a mix oftraditional and nontraditional products including check cashingservices at fair fees. The program also offers performance trainingand consulting.

A partnership with human capital consulting/software firmTalentQuest to develop benchmarking profiles of common traits oftop retail banking performers grants clients access to specializedservices and a customized version of TalentQuest's Web-based talentmanagement system for financial service institutions. TalentQuestspecializes in helping companies identify and develop the righttalent for their culture and business strategy. IBT has alsoextended its exclusive marketing relationship with Meijer, Inc. tomarket, design and construct in-store retail space for financialservice providers looking to locate within Meijer stores.

As part of its holistic approach to service, IBT offers a clientsolutions center which provides an array of branch supportincluding serving as a sales training and marketing resource. Thefirm also offers articles, white papers and MarketPulse surveyresults designed to provide timely insights and strategies.

IBT will host its 17th Annual Trends Conference April 15-17 atthe Grand Hyatt in Atlanta. The conference is an executive eventfocused on organic growth, opportunities for reaching the unbankedand underbanked, latest trends and innovations in retail design andhow to select, develop and retain the right talent.

“It has been great,” said Mangum. “Everything has come togetherto help bring our creative process into the physical manifestationof strategy and spirit. We're pleased with the organic growth andwe've been told that we're offering some of the freshest researchon financial services. Looking ahead we are just focused on movingonward and upward.” –[email protected]