06/06/2005
NFIB Contact: Michael E. Diegel, (202) 554-9000
Dell Contact: Roe Thiessen, (512) 725-1405
Dell and NFIB Partner to Recognize Innovative Use of Technology and Superior Customer Experience
Washington, D.C. -- The National Federation of Independent Business, the nation's leading small-business group, and Dell Inc., today announced that Dr. Timothy Kriss of Versailles, Ky., has been chosen as a finalist in the Dell/NFIB Small Business Excellence in Customer Experience Award. Kriss owns Neurosurgery and Spine Specialist, PSC.
The Dell/NFIB Small Business Excellence in Customer Experience Award finalists were selected by members of the Herb Kelleher Center for Entrepreneurship at The University of Texas at Austin for their spirits of innovation. Small-business owners were challenged to illustrate how they have used information technology to drive a significant change and/or developed a competitive advantage in delivering superior customer value and experience.
Dr. Kriss, a neurosurgeon, brings specialty medical services to patients near their homes in three rural Kentucky communities – Versailles, Frankfort and Maysville. A creative solution was required to connect patient medical records in these distant communities, which has been achieved through an entirely mobile electronic medical office. Through computer technology, Dr. Kriss has access to all medical records and services available to all patients at all times, regardless of where he or the patient is located.
"The 10 small businesses that have been chosen as finalists exemplify the spirit of innovation, smart use of technology and focus on the customer that has helped Dell succeed and grow into the company it is today," said Frank Muehleman, vice president and general manager of Dell's Small and Medium Business Segment. "Those entrepreneurs who are making technology a major part of their business plan and finding new and better ways of serving their customers will continue to be the key drivers of our economy."
"Main Street entrepreneurs take risks every day, but one thing they won't risk is delivering less than the best when it comes to customer service. The finalists for the Dell/NFIB Small Business Excellence in Customer Experience Award use technology to deliver a first-class customer service experience," said NFIB President and CEO Jack Faris. "These men and women are the heart of America's economic engine, and we applaud them for all they do each day to move our economy forward. NFIB is proud to honor them through this partnership with Dell."
The award winner will be announced Oct. 6 during a Dell Small Business Town Hall event in New York City. The winner will receive $30,000 in Dell technology and professional services; a "Day with Dell" program with Dell executives including Michael Dell to share best practices; a lifetime NFIB membership; and other prizes. The remaining nine finalists will each receive a Dell Latitude™ notebook computer and a one-year NFIB membership.
