Working Woman magazine honors local entrepreneur

03/16/2001

By A. Lee Graham / The Dallas Morning News

Cynthia Driskill has a simple management philosophy in running her software company, CDG & Associates.

"I've always wanted to make my employees proud of their company and too happy to leave," Ms. Driskill said.

That's turned into an award-winning attitude. Working Woman magazine has named Ms. Driskill as a regional winner in its third annual Entrepreneurial Excellence Awards.

Ms. Driskill, whose company is moving its offices from Addison to Carrollton in May, is one of two area bosses to be recognized by the magazine. Carrollton resident Karen Shelton – whose firm, T&S Software Associates Inc., is based in Richardson – also is a regional winner. Both women will be featured in the magazine's May issue.

Ms. Driskill is being honored because she has kept more than 90 percent of her employees and clients, said Erika Rasmusson, associate editor for the New York-based magazine.

CDG & Associates' retention rate is "30 percent higher than industry norms," Ms. Rasmusson said. "To have both employees and clients be that loyal definitely stood out."

Ms. Driskill said her success is because simple hard work.

"You work your hardest, never expecting anything like this to happen," she said. "Then it does, and you feel great. But work goes on."

Ms. Driskill founded the company in 1987, starting with only four employees. There are now about 100 people on the payroll.

CDG & Associates, which helps clients integrate software products and computer systems, reported almost $21 million in revenues in 2000, up from $18.4 million the year before.

Every employee owns a piece of the company. "When you see financial results on the balance sheets, that just makes you work that much harder," said Charles Martin, who supervises consultants at different client locations.

"Cynthia's very gifted at empowering and encouraging anyone who's in her presence," he added. "She's found that people are more productive when you work on their strengths rather than focusing on something that's a weakness."

Mr. Martin, who's been at CDG since 1989, said the company is generous with its perks.

"We have a meditation room where you can relax, and juice and fruit is always provided," he said. "It's a work atmosphere conducive to productivity and a positive attitude."

Ms. Driskill said employee morale is important because her company competes against national firms such as Accenture and Ernst & Young. "All you can do is deliver your best," she said.

A San Francisco-based client appreciates Ms. Driskill's efforts.

"I think where Cynthia and her organization stands out is in integrity," said Tony Morgado, human resources manager with the law firm Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison LLP. "Her organization takes ownership of a project as if it's theirs. They see through every project to the end."

Mr. Morgado hired CDG to work with his previous employer about 10 years ago. When he moved to Brobeck, Phleger, he hired the company again to keep its human resources software free from defects.

"We now have data that's extremely reliable," Mr. Morgado said. "I don't think that would be the case if we hired another company that just came in, did a quick fix and left."