In 1980 Jeff Coleman founded Coleman Research Corporation based on the observation that a small, nimble engineering services company could compete with larger aerospace players by using advanced simulation tools and a talented workforce and applying a "systems engineering" methodology to the solution of challenging problems. The team was maintained by offering an "employee owned" company with industry leading benefits and a strong corporate culture based on a set of Laws and Rules developed by Jeff Coleman. CRC was named the #1 company to watch by Business Week magazine in 1994, and Jeff Coleman was named Florida's Entrepreneur of the Year in 1995. Much of the Success was attributed to the corporate culture Jeff instilled at CRC. In 1995, after growing to 1200 employees, the company was sold.

In 1995, the family started a new information technology systems engineering company based on the exact same values. CTI has grown rapidly since 1995 being named the #1 fastest growing company in Central Florida in 2000, and with Ben Patz named Florida's Entrepreneur of the Year for technology services in 2002. We likewise attribute much of the success to Coleman's Laws and Rules.

Jeff Coleman's Laws:

No one is smart enough to be a dictator. The only real power one has is the power of persuasion. The less you know about something the simpler it seems. Important decisions require at least one night's sleep. Decisions made without all the facts are guesses. The most important thing a manager does is people picking. Lies are hard to remember. There is nothing more critical to true success than openness, honesty and integrity. Those that don't solicit and listen to advice are destined to be unsuccessful. What is given cannot be taken away. Meddling after responsibility is delegated and accepted, provides a built-in excuse for failure. Unwritten agreements are soon forgotten. Time is not a good decision maker. You must look successful to be successful. Cash flow is more important than profit. Grow or die. The only people that are not making mistakes are those that are not doing anything. Don't bite off more than you can bite off. The most important and most difficult trait to identify is the ability to get things done. A manager with a full calendar every day isn't delegating properly. A full day spent in meetings is 40% wasted. A pat on the back is the ultimate in cost effectiveness. A manager that takes the credit for the work of the troops should be made a member of the troops. A manager unwilling to take risks is destined for mediocrity. Twenty percent of the people do eighty percent of the work. People that feel comfortable in their job are more productive. All contracts end. The prepared bird gets the worm. An unfilled position is better than one filled by the wrong person. The killer of the bearer of bad news quickly joins the ranks of the uninformed.

Jeff Coleman's Management Rules:

Don't dictate - persuade. Project a can-do attitude. Delegate then don't interfere, but be available to help. Learn to accommodate a wide variety of personalities. Don't tolerate bickering, blame, throwing, or covering up - insist on harmonious teamwork. Be tolerant of mistakes - up to a limit. Be intolerant of incompetence. Encourage constructive dissent. Never miss an opportunity to pat someone on the back. Be honest, but gentle when appraising someone. Give individuals a voice in their job assignment. Make sure an assignment is understood and accepted. Set high standards. Be selective in hiring. Be consistent. Be open. Don't lose your temper. Don't ever take credit for others' work. Speak out. Be inquisitive. Write it down. Don't give the appearance of vacillating, but avoid the extreme of bullheadedness. Be accurate - don't exaggerate. Keep your boss informed. Don't criticize one of your employees in front of others. Cherish your personal integrity. Keep your appearance neat. Set a good example. Take pride in everything you do. Make money for the company and have fun doing it.