Just-in-Time Talent

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You've heard of just-in-time inventory, but what about talent? Mark and Stacy Andrus, co-owners of Stacy's Pita Chip Co., in Randolph, Mass., employ about 15 people, bringing in extras as needed to fill a big order. And initially the couple hired a few consultants. But now, Stacy says, they rely more heavily on the kindness of unofficial advisers and mentors from elsewhere in the industry. Through networking they became friends with people at other natural snack-food companies. Although they might be considered direct competitors, "we were pleasantly surprised because not many people we approached were closed off or perceived us as threatening," Mark says. Through an arrangement they negotiated with Babson College, the two also brought in several unpaid summer interns who not only built the company's Web site (www.pitachips.com) but also maintain it as a class project. In exchange, Stacy frequently speaks on the business school's campus, 25 miles away.

This piece was adapted from The Pita Principle by Anne Stuart, Inc magazine, August 2001.