Hundreds of thousands of workers across Pennsylvania are “up to speed” thanks to Black Consulting Services, Inc. (BlackCSI).

“Workforce development and adult learning are two key areas of our business,” says Ruthann Black, President, BlackCSI. “Technology changes so quickly and we provide collaboration tools and new applications that help employers keep their employees current with the latest technological advances.”

Founded in 2002 with Ruthann as its sole employee, BlackCSI has grown to include a staff of 20 whose work includes project management, cabling services and communication and security integration in addition to professional development.

Ruthann Black, President, Black Consulting Services, Inc.

“I couldn’t have done it without the support of my husband, Tom, and my family,” Ruthann said. “Work was not steady at first, but he allowed me to find my way and has been very supportive through the years.”

Although the first few years were challenging, the company has built a solid reputation with its clients and was named one of the Fastest 50 Growing Companies in 2010 by the Central Pennsylvania Business Journal (#36).

Black said the recognition that goes with the honor helps market her company to perspective clients.

“Any business faces numerous challenges getting started and building a solid client base,” Black said. “This award not only provides marketing and advertising opportunities, but demonstrates that you are an established company that is growing and not some fly by night operation that will go away tomorrow.”

A Black Consulting Services employee installs a security camera at a business in Carlisle. This section of the company has already doubled its business in 2011 over what it did in all of 2010.

BlackCSI has a great chance to make the Fastest Growing list again in 2011 as its communication and security integrators division, which constitutes about 20 percent of the business, has grown exponentially in 2011. This component designs and installs computer networks, voice, sound, access control cameras and other communication solutions, according to Black.

“We have already matched in four months this year our entire production for 2010,” Black said. “We are in the process of creating a separate division for it under its own name to mitigate our risk.”

As the company plans to celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2012, Black said she is in the process of launching a new initiative that utilizes the professional development system known as Saba. The system allows large-sized companies manage, among other things, the professional development of their employees.

Black Consulting Services staff undergoes training so they can teach their clients' staff the latest technological advances that increase worker productivity.

“This service helps employees get to the next level in their professional development and provides human resources a way to track that development,” Black said. “We are in the process of learning the system and developing a marketing plan to market it to large companies.”

Beyond 2012, Black said her strategic plan is to double the size of the company over the next five to 10 years and to expand her company’s services into Delaware, Maryland and New Jersey.

“I don’t want to become too large,” she said. “That makes it too difficult to stay in touch with each employee.”

For more information on Black Consulting Services, visit blackcsi.com.