Personal information

Name: Fern Powers Granoff

Title: President and CEO

Company: Powers HR Services, Philadelphia.

Type of company: Human resources consulting firm.

Education: BS, elementary education; Temple University; three credits shy of master's in counseling and guidance, Columbia University.

Little known fact: I am an avid fan of auto racing and attend major races whenever possible.

Home: Center City.

Business philosophy

Essential business philosophy: I consider each one of my employees very special and a very important member of our team, from our front desk coordinator to my VP of operations. Each one has a very special reason for being here and I value them all.

Best way to keep a competitive edge: We constantly examine every aspect of the way we conduct our business as if we were looking through the eyes of our clients. We make sure we are the kind of business we would want to use.

Yardstick of success: The respect and admiration of our clients.

Goal yet to be achieved: National and global recognition as a premier provider of human resources consulting.

Judgment calls

Best decision: To expand the focus of the company from recruiting and staffing to the full spectrum of human resources support. Instead of referring clients elsewhere, we can now help them no matter what stage of development they are in.

Worst decision: Waiting to formally bring our outsourcing and outplacement divisions into being. It was costly for the business. I was working on the development of these divisions, and was also taking care of my mother, who had become quite ill. At the time, I could only take it so far with the balancing I was already doing.

Toughest decision: Giving up the day-to-day operations. Realizing I can't do it all, I knew I needed to hire a VP of operations. Handing over that responsibility was tough.

Mentor: My mother, Jean Powers, who founded the company. Her belief in herself and her ability to succeed have served as a role model throughout my entire professional career. There wasn't much that she put her mind to that she couldn't do.

True confessions

Words that best describe you: Committed, ethical, forward- looking.

Like best about your job: The satisfying feeling of finding the best solution for each of our clients. It is better than a thousand-piece puzzle.

Like least about your job: When I am face to face with a manager or administrative person who has been laid off, totally blown away and has not been given any help with finding direction.

Most important lesson learned: The size of a client company is not what matters, it is in building the bond of trust.

Person most interested in meeting: Marie Curie. Her curiosity and brilliance allowed her to swim upstream and succeed in a field not yet open to women.

Most respected competitor: Michael Coleman and Associates.

First choice for a new career: Pastry chef.

Etc.

Honor most proud of: Being the first female president of the Variety Club Camp and Developmental Center. Also, being certified as a woman-owned business.

Most influential book: "The Source," by James A. Michener.

Favorite movie: "The Prince of Tides."

Favorite restaurant: Brasserie Perrier.

Favorite vacation spot: The Greek Islands.

Favorite way to spend free time: With my family and friends.

Automobile: 1998 E300 Lexus.