Bob Nero has a clear vision of his company’s products, services and its customers. His goal is to make sure his employees understand just as clearly.

Nero, president and CEO of Sircon Corporation in Okemos, is the 2007 winner of the Entrepreneurial Award in the insurance/technology category.

“Our success depends on each employee seeing the clear connection between what they do and how it directly contributes to serving a current customer or making it easier to find new ones,” Nero said. “It’s critical to the success of any business that you have the alignment of the right people in the right positions and develop a culture of empowerment where people feel free to act.”

Sircon Corporation provides a comprehensive suite of Web-based software solutions for the insurance industry, including state regulators, carriers, agencies and individual producers. Its local clients include Jackson National Life in Alaiedon Township and Auto-Owners Insurance in Lansing. Sircon has approximately 90 employees and sells its products and services in all 50 states.

Nero, with more than three decades in software services and e-commerce, joined Sircon Corporation in 2003, when it was known as IT Solutions. He was brought in to pull the insurance technology company out of a growth slump caused by a market that was approaching full penetration.

“Everything we say and do as a company is with an eye toward growth. Coming in four years ago it was clear that growth was the key value and objective of our major investors. That means increasing the scope of services we offer our clients,” explained Nero.

Sircon Corporation, which has over 1,500 commercial customers, reported growth of 37 percent in 2006. The company has recently introduced many additional web-based services that encompass appointment transactions and licensing between insurance carriers and state regulators.

“[Sircon] is uniquely positioned since we are the only company that sells to both state insurance regulators and the insurance industry. We expect to continue to expand our network to become the nation’s largest online community of regulators and carriers,” Nero said.

The entrepreneurial spirit is embraced by all Sircon Corporation employees, noted Nero, who is constantly encouraging employees to look forward to uncover ways to add value to the company.

“The whole organization should feel that way. We want everyone looking for new customers and new avenues of growth. Employees should feel comfortable bringing forward ideas. If they work, great. If they fail, let’s learn from them and make it work next time.

“We encourage our employees to take risk through personal initiative. This helps to develop good leaders who can create a point of view and a system of values that others can understand and embrace,” Nero said.

Nero has even implemented a quarterly “Town Hall” meeting for all employees held off-site as the primary forum to keep them informed about the company’s progress and providing recognition.

“I prescribe to organizational development. We celebrate individual growth of our employees. It is very rewarding to see people grow their careers and do well within the company,” Nero added.

Sircon Corporation was recently recognized as one of the Michigan 50 Companies to Watch, an awards program sponsored in part by the Edward Lowe Foundation, a not-for-profit foundation with a mission to champion the entrepreneurial spirit in Michigan.