Thankfully 2009 is over. Clearly, it's been the most challenging year I have ever seen in 30 years of business experience. Relocation volume across all industry segments in our client base fell by about 50% compared to 2008. For the most part, our clients simply stopped hiring new employees requiring relocation and/or significantly reduced relocation of existing employees. As our clients dealt with the most severe recession we have seen since the Great Depression, they and we have developed strategies to deal with the "New Normal". Clearly, many of our clients, as well as Paragon and other relocation companies have had to make painful decisions related to staffing, offices and a variety of expenses to properly position our companies for 2010 and beyond. In doing so, Paragon has maintained the foundation of our company in preparation for better times ahead, ensuring that we are fully capable of implementing the quality services that have always been our standard.

 
Economists predict that we will see a "jobless recovery" in 2010 as unemployment is a lagging indicator of growth. As such, unemployment is likely to remain high in 2010 as our clients and Paragon move slowly and carefully to begin hiring again. We saw the glimmer of an economic recovery as our volume rose about 25% in November, 2009 over earlier months in the year; however, it is too soon to tell if this is a trend. And, though volume was up in November, it was still substantially lower than in the month of November, 2008. Nevertheless, we are cautiously optimistic about 2010.
 
In the meantime, though we are dealing with the recession, we are still implementing a variety of initiatives to continue our growth curve. We will roll out PRISM 2.0, our next generation technology, in 2010, which will dramatically enhance our automated system. We will further refine our Account Management and Operations structures to enhance our focus on the client and customer. It is likely that we will open additional Paragon locations overseas, including in China, to provide better local services consistent with our quality standards. And, shortly, we will roll out our Visa Immigration Services in order to provide additional cost savings to our clients.
 
As usual at year's end, I first want to thank all of our clients for their continued support. Clearly, without our clients there would be no Paragon. Next, I want to thank all Paragon staff members for working through a very tough year. I am well aware that the challenges we have faced in 2009 have been unsettling for our employees. Be assured, however, that we are working to make sure that Paragon is positioned to come out of this recession stronger than ever. Finally, we have many supplier partners around the world that extend our reach to more than 150 countries. Without their loyal support and dedication, we could not provide many of the services that our clients have come to expect. And so I must also say Thank You to our many partners.
 
As we set our goals for 2010, we look to both the short and long term objectives. 2010 will likely be a tough year; but there is light at the end of the tunnel. We continue to respond to many Requests for Proposal each month and we continue to sign new clients to add to our list of existing, valued clients. Growth is the life blood of any company so it is our focus. As such, I am certain that there will be better days ahead.
 

President and CEO

Paragon Global Resources, Inc.

 

 

Paragon Relocation in Madrid, Spain was the site for MAGIC and Six Sigma Blue Belt training sessions recently held in November. Nine employees from across Europe attended the training, including employees from Paragon offices in Madrid, Dublin, and The Netherlands. The sessions were conducted by Carol Nichols, Director, Learning Resources for Paragon.

 

Pictured from back to front: Niels Veen, Paloma Bórquez, Carol Nichols, Soledad Aguirre, Mirela Iosif, Mirtha Castillo, Mar Ruiz del Olmo, María García, Carmen López.

MAGIC, which stands for Make A Great Impression on the Customer, is our company-wide standard for customer service. MAGIC suggests that everyone we communicate with is our customer and every communication makes an impression. This is highly important for Paragon Relocation as this training offers tips and tools for a successful customer interaction cycle, from the initial greeting, listening and asking questions, setting realistic and acceptable deadlines, to closing with agreement.

 

The two-day Six Sigma Blue Belt training also gave attending employees the background on the Six Sigma quality processes, how Six Sigma is utilized to improve services or reduce costs throughout the organization, and how each individual can participate and contribute to future Six Sigma projects. Six Sigma is a key part of Paragon's quality standards.
 
At the end of the training, Carol remarked, "We had a great time learning about our communication styles and how they affect our ability to listen and communicate well. Each person developed a conversation methodology that allows them to immediately connect with their customers and assure them that they are ready and willing to help".

 

 

In order to provide the best global relocation services, more career opportunities for our employees and over all cost efficiencies, Paragon Relocation is consolidating Connecticut and California relocation operations into our Dallas, Texas office.  While assigned Account Director/Managers will remain in-region in our Danbury, Connecticut and Rancho Santa Margarita, California offices to provide assistance to our clients, relocation consultants will be based in our Global Service Center in Dallas, Texas and be connected by interactive equipment for regular meetings.