Jack's Glass Recognized by Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce for "Excellence in Business"

Jack's Glass in Allentown, Pa., received the "2009 Excellence in Business" award from the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce at a ceremony last Friday, June 19. Only two businesses receive the honor each year—one in the category of 1-49 employees, and one in the 50-100 group. Jack's Glass was recognized in the 1-49 employee category.

To receive this honor, companies must be nominated by another business; they then must complete a lengthy application explaining their mission, involvement with the Chamber of Commerce, community involvement, their demonstration of leadership in business, their marketing strategies, commitment to training and development, and why they believe themselves to be qualified for the award. In the 8-page single-spaced application, Jack's Glass president Donna Braden details the way the business, which provides heavy equipment glass, custom table tops, mirrors, window and screen repair, as well as auto glass repair and replacement, functions—and how it has grown since its inception in 1976.

"We are evolving from an auto glass replacement business into a multi-faceted company to serve the changing needs of our customers," writes Braden in the application.

The company has been a member of numerous Chambers of Commerce, including the Allentown Chamber and the Bethlehem Chamber, which eventually became the current Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce. Past honors for the company include an "Award of Merit" for its contributions to highway safety, including providing presentations about the importance of wearing seatbelts, how airbag deployment works and why safe windshield installations are important to various community groups. The company also is a licensed child safety seat inspector and participates in various local clinics on this topic.

"At our shop, we've installed more than one car seat for an anxious mother—while in labor!" writes Braden.

In the customer satisfaction portion, Braden explains the company's process for conducting customer satisfaction surveys, training its employees to offer empathy to customers, and using technology to assist with its customers' needs.

The company receives a media package as part of the honor, which includes the space of one billboard for a month; a custom-designed print ad in "Coupons Galore & More" to appear in the company's direct mail booklet, along with presence on the coupon-maker's website for a period of 60 days; a cable d package; an ad in the business section of the Lehigh Valley Express Times, along with a framed color version of the ad; an online advertising campaign with WFMZ FM Channel 69; an interview on WDIY 88.1 to air on July 16; a full-page ad in the Chamber of Commerce's Connections publication for one month, or a ¼-page ad for three months, space-permitting; admittance to a social networking workshop; and free advertising on Chamber president Tony Iannelli's radio show.

The company also received proclamations from both the Pennsylvania Senate and House of Representatives.