News & Announcements
Corporate Call Center, President & Founder, Claudia Timbo is Philly.com's "Woman of the Week"
Philadelphia, PA (April 17th, 2007) - Philly.com's Woman of the Week: CLAUDIA TIMBO - President & Founder, Corporate Call Center, Blue Bell, PA
By: Marilyn Russell
A recent honoree of WYP's Woman of Accomplishment for 2007, our Woman of the Week is nominated by Ellen Fisher - Claudia Timbo, Founder of Corporate Call Center Inc. As President and CEO, Claudia utilized an award winning staffing model she created to position this rapidly growing firm on the cutting edge of business-to-business telemarketing. The Corporate Call Center matches retired executives to their client's industry to work in partnership with their sales professionals to expand their network and increase repeat sales and new revenue. Claudia has become the foremost expert in helping businesses all over the country improve their marketing position and is an extremely successful entrepreneur in her own right. Since the launch of CCC back in '02, Claudia has opened an additional four centers and continues to have a major impact on the workforce in her community. She has also implemented a number of hiring programs to employ retired executives, senior citizens and people with disabilities as over 60% of her workforce. Claudia and CCC obtained grants for these positive hiring practices which keeps the business in Pennsylvania, driving over 300 new full time jobs for the commonwealth. Additionally, Claudia has been recognized for her expertise by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives as an expert speaker on her award winning business model utilizing retired executives. She is also a mentor for the Women's Regional Business Council, serves on the board of directors of My Guide for Seniors, supports the endowment and advancement committees for the PathWays School and served as a founding advisory board member for Senior Adults for Greater Education. "What is crystal clear about Claudia," says Ellen Fisher, "is her gentle power. She is always ready to share and make connections that benefit her peers and colleagues."
WOTW: Claudia, how did your career get started? Claudia: It's interesting that my formal training is highly specialized in Special Education with a degree from Seton Hall but while working for several different companies along the way, it turned out I would stay in the business world. Originally I was hired by financial firms to build in-house lead generation teams to support their own outside sales force. Finally I transitioned to an outsourced model where the companies use my company to support their sales and services.
WOTW: What is the best thing about your position? Claudia: The dynamic nature of the Call Center business appeals to me. No two days are the same ands my clients are always looking for custom solutions to meet their service/marketing/sales needs. Also I look forward to going into work everyday and interacting with the many retired executives we have hired for our client's projects. Their experience, knowledge and work ethic make it an enjoyable place to work
WOTW: What would you say is the hardest thing for you to accomplish? Claudia: Working in the healthcare industry represents numerous challenges such as keeping up with the various changes in Medicare/Medicaid and the HIPPA compliance policies. Recently one of my clients asked if I could provide over 100 licensed insurance agents to provide customer service for a special project. So I sent over 200 agents to an insurance school to learn about the industry so they could take and pass their insurance exam to meet this clients needs and help them grow their business.
WOTW: Of what are you most proud? Claudia: I am proud of my award winning staffing model which matches retired executives to my clients industries and enabled me to create over 300 new jobs for mature workers last year. I am also proud to give these retired executives a new lease on life and a new second career at age 60 and up! I am also proud of the awards CCC has received for positive hiring practices and the grants for hiring and training agents with disabilities.
WOTW: Describe your philosophy and how you utilize it with your responsibilities at work. Claudia: My philosophy is to make things happen. Develop a plan and see it through to completion, I am flexible, comfortable with change and look at challenges as opportunities. I am a very positive person and like working with upbeat "can do" personalities. I agree with the saying "what gets measured gets done!" I think Back to Basics works many times if a project is off track.
WOTW: If you could change one thing in our world, what would it be? Claudia: Senior citizens would be given the respect and dignity they deserve, and value would be placed on their experience and wisdom.
WOTW: What (if any) is your guilty pleasure? Claudia: I enjoy reading (anything) and practice yoga. Also I have been known to reward myself with a massage if I have been good about meeting my weekly exercise goals. I drink (too) many cups of coffee per day.
WOTW: What CD book would you want to have with you on the deserted island? Claudia: I find the works of Florence Shovel Shinn very motivating and inspiring. One of my favorites by her is The Game of Life and How to Play it.
WOTW: What advice would you share to someone starting out in your business? Claudia: I believe that you create your own luck by hard work and the belief in yourself that you can accomplish what you set out to do.
WOTW: What's next for you and Corporate Call Center? Claudia: In 2007 I am looking forward to more growth --opening new call centers and entering new markets. Personally during this year I hope to use the opportunity I have to make a difference in my industry and my community by getting involved in causes that support women in business and senior adults.
Just announced this past Monday by Gov. Ed Rendell, Claudia is one of the winners of Pennsylvania's 12th Annual Best 50 Women in Business contest. Women are selected from across the state by a panel of independent judges for their dedication to the state's business growth, professional and personal accomplishments, community involvement and continued advocacy for women in business. She and 49 others will be recognized May 21st at the Whitaker Center in Harrisburg. If you'd like to learn more about Claudia and the Corporate Call Center, log onto http://www.corporatecallcenter.com/