Put people first to succeed in business

CFT was founded with the goal of completely supporting veterans in every manner possible. They founded their company in response to the challenges they encountered while working for large corporations with high profit margins. As elucidated by Russell Frutiger, the company's CEO, their first goal was to fully understand the market and try to work with groups that give veterans priority. They have a strong commitment to the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense. Their goal was to fulfill these organizations' service needs and offer them at a competitive price. This is particularly crucial as they transition from conflict situations and face challenges in garnering public support. It is also essential to continue supporting veterans in a world where politics often takes precedence over action. Their commitment goes beyond supporting veterans; it also includes employing them.

They aim to provide a fair and efficient solution for both their clients and employees. Their motto, "Clients First, People Always," reflects their commitment to prioritizing the needs of their clients and ensuring the well-being of their employees. Since they know their employees are key to success, they always take care of them. They focus their development efforts on their people, many of whom are veterans, and it's essential to understand their requirements. By comprehending their needs, they are able to create the necessary solutions in a timely manner. The main focus is on how they can effectively present these models and initiatives to their clients and the agencies they cater to. They frequently adapt their models and products based on their clients' evolving needs. Frequently tasked with quickly providing solutions to issues, they must possess the necessary expertise and flexibility to meet any client's requirements or initiatives.

Russell, a retired 34-year Army officer, strongly believes that their nation has a responsibility to honor and support its veterans. Russell's upbringing and military experience have instilled in him a deep desire to ensure that those who have served remain remembered and neglected. Witnessing the bravery and sacrifices of his fellow service members has inspired him to continue serving them in any way possible. The debt of gratitude owed to these men and women is immense, not just for their service today but for all time.

Besides, Russell enjoys working with wood and vintage autos as his hobbies. Woodworking involves the use of tools, safety equipment, supplies, and plans, much like taking on a new contract. When it comes to classic cars, it is a reflection of the love and care he has for his vehicles. Similarly, Russell demonstrates the same level of love and care towards his clients and business relationships. It is truly wonderful when all these elements align harmoniously.

Russell's leadership philosophy, rooted in faith in individual capabilities, focuses on empowering and motivating people to achieve the mission at hand. By offering guidance and entrusting them with the autonomy to act as they see fit, he instills a sense of belief in their abilities and allows them to flourish. This approach, based on the principle that empowered individuals can achieve remarkable feats, forms the essence of a leadership philosophy that proves effective in practice.

Clear guidance and vision, along with an openness to question and seek clarification, are important in ensuring harmony and integration at all levels. Collaboration serves as the foundation that holds a program together, and working closely with key personnel and the agency is essential for success. Russell emphasizes that distance can make communication challenging for leadership, requiring even greater effort to ensure information reaches all levels of the organization. This requires open and frequent collaboration among all parties.

Their company's vision has remained consistent, and Russell believes there is no need to alter it as it has proven to be successful. Their strategy for maintaining this vision's relevance has evolved. Changes in contract procurement, such as the shift to a point system instead of a straightforward evaluation of a company's capabilities, have forced them to adapt their focus on specific agencies in response to the evolving market. These changes can sometimes disqualify anyone from competing, necessitating the development of strategies to remain competitive while staying true to their vision, says Russell. Above all, he employs various strategies to stay informed about the market. It is critical for them to understand not only their competitors, but also the organizations with which they intend to collaborate. In today's evolving landscape, everyone is striving to provide the best service for their clients and employees. Russell monitors their competitors based on client data, social media, staff, and open sources. In the business world, cooperation and competition are inevitable, fluctuating from day to day.

They continue to drive initiatives that help their clients and the space in which they work. They hope to expand into other areas that support the veteran population, such as NIH, DoD, and CMS, all of which have some impact on their veterans and their families.