Ken , INTTRA1

Parsippany - NJ United States

The big idea: In 25 words or less, please tell us how this Fast 50 Nominee is helping to address the planet's problems.

According to The United Nations, a mature tree produces 9000 pieces of paper. Since its founding in 2000, INTTRA has saved more than 1 million trees by offering the ocean shipping industry an innovative e-Commerce Web portal.

Please describe how this nominee is using business as a force of positive change. What technology, idea, or strategy is the nominee using -- and what problem, such as global warming, poverty, or pollution, does it address? (suggested length: 100 words)

Formerly a paper-based process, supply chain and logistics companies have adopted the Web as a form of data integration and collaboration. From bottled water producers in France to clothing manufacturers in Finland to United States-based auto supply retailers, there’s been an explosion in demand for building out global supply chains and a myriad of new ways to integrate supply chain data. Organizations across the globe are looking for a ways to unify their supply chain processes while enhancing the visibility and maintaining the security of their existing supply chain; INTTRA has offered that solution.

INTTRA is moving e-Commerce into the mainstream by facilitating business between shippers and carriers with an e-Commerce platform that offers a comprehensive range of multi-carrier e-tools for shippers, forwarders, consignees and logistics providers around the world including Sailing Schedules, Bookings, Shipping Instructions, Shipping Orders, Bills of Lading, Track & Trace and Multi-Carrier Reports. Exporters and importers can use any combination of INTTRA channel solutions: INTTRA-Link (system-to-system connection via EDI or XML), INTTRA-Desktop (off-line PC application) INTTRA-Alliance (software supplier to INTTRA connectivity), or INTTRA-Act (Web-based application) to make their shipment processes fast, easy and more reliable.

Offering these technology solutions was the first part of the INTTRA business plan, but the second part, a growth strategy, was a bit more complex. Ken Bloom, CEO of INTTRA, developed and implemented six innovative steps for growing his business:
• Put local, knowledgeable people in local markets;
• Implement an organizational design to deliver a professional service;
• Recognize that consistent investments in the product line increases the addressable market;
• Bring products to market in a coordinated, thoughtful way; and,
• Lead ‘cultural shifts’ in the company rather than letting them happen to us unwittingly.
• Explore adjacent markets in a methodical way.

To achieve and sustain the corporate growth achieved through these actions, Bloom realized that the company needed to establish a strong employee development program to recruit and retain talent, and deliver the value expected from customers and shareholders. Since then, organizational development has played a critical role in INTTRA’s growth. To develop and grow the corporate culture, Bloom realized he had to go beyond providing an extensive benefits package to provide a range of development programs, where employees can operate in teams and develop their strategic skills, seek advancement and feel a commitment from the Company. This approach to the Company’s growth, recognizing employees as an integral component of corporate growth, earned INTTRA the distinction as Outstanding Employer by the New Jersey Business & Industry Association’s (NJBIA) Awards for Excellence in 2007.

What are the results, both financial and social? How has the nominee's business performed, and what impact has it had on the problem it addresses? (suggested length: 100 words)

In just eight years, INTTRA has grown from ‘start up’ to the largest B2B e-Commerce portal in the ocean container industry. Processing more than 10 percent of all global containerized trade, INTTRA serves over 10,000 customers in 85 countries. More than 240,000 container orders are initiated on the INTTRA platform each week and in 2007, the company was ranked No. 8 in Deloitte’s Technology Fast 50 Program for the fastest growing companies in New Jersey. With all the stars aligned - a need in the marketplace, innovative growth strategy and an employee-focused culture - INTTRA has become a model organization and a trailblazer in the ocean-shipping industry.

Comments that readers have made about this submission: