IQ Insights Archive
Sep
24
24
Google CEO names Pittsburgh as a model for other cities to follow!
By MikeD under G-20, In The News, Pittsburgh News
Google CEO: Pittsburgh’s economy a model for others to follow, by Kim Lyons, Pittsburgh Business Times, September 23, 2009.
Sep
17
17
All eyes on Pittsburgh for G20 Conference!
By MikeD under G-20, In The News, Pittsburgh News
The revival of Pittsburgh – Lessons for the G20, The Economist, September 17, 2009.
Jul
10
10
Barbara VanKirk Keynote Speaker at University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg Career Quest 2009!
By MikeD under In The News, Press Release
Barbara VanKirk had the opportunity to sit down with students from the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg along with local high school seniors to discuss their future careers during Career Quest 2009!
May
08
08
Barbara VanKirk Featured In Keystone Edge Magazine!
By MikeD under In The News, Press Release
Barbara VanKirk, President and Owner of IQ Inc. a technical consulting and software development company located in Murrysville, Pennsylvania was recently featured in a Q&A segment with Keystone Edge in their Rise of the Little Guys: Emerging Trends in Innovation issue. Keystone Edge is a weekly online magazine dedicated to telling the story of the new economy in Pennsylvania, covering stories from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia. To view a copy of the complete article please visit http://www.keystoneedge.com/default.aspx
Apr
04
04
Seton Hill University’s E-Magnify, Featured Entrepreneur, April 2009: Barbara VanKirk, President, IQ Inc.
By MikeD under ATHENA Award, Awards, In The News
Entrepreneur Believes In Team-First Success
Barbara VanKirk founded IQ Inc. in 1994 to provide professional consulting and software development services to companies with Information Technology needs and to contribute to the growth of IT professionals in the Pittsburgh area. With the ability to service both large and small businesses concerns, IQ Inc. has earned a reputation for quality and has served the medical, healthcare, transportation, software development, manufacturing, and high tech industries.
“My proudest business accomplishment has been and always will be the team we have assembled. Every single person that has walked through our doors whether an employee, a client or a vendor has contributed to our success,” VanKirk said. “I continue to experience the selfless generosity of each individual whether we are solving an extremely challenging business problem for our client or we are campaigning for cancer research or collecting clothing and food for those less fortunate. I am truly amazed and blessed to have been able to provide an environment where everyone feels they can make a difference.”
IQ Inc. is a certified Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) through the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, a certified Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) through the Port Authority of Allegheny County and the New Jersey Transit Authority and a certified Women’s Business Enterprise (WBENC) through the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council.
“I proudly attribute much of our success to the dedication and integrity of our employees. Everyone checks their ego at the door and comes into work as a team. No one asks what I can do for them today, but how they can help to make IQ and our clients successful,” VanKirk said. “I can attribute much of our success to our ability to adapt to an ever-changing world. Over the years IQ has grown and evolved within the technology industry, from offering our consultants more career options, to our growing product and project development market segments. IQ has responded to the rapidly changing technology environment with confidence, constantly adapting and improving our knowledgebase and skill set as dictated by market demands. We have distinguished ourselves as a small company with a large presence.”
A graduate of Point Park University with a Bachelors of Science in Computer Science, VanKirk was selected as one of “Pennsylvania’s Best 50 Women in Business” by Governor Edward G. Rendell in 2003 and by Enterprising Women’s Magazine as one of 2008’s Enterprising Women of the Year Award winners. In the fall of 2007 she was the recipient of the Monroeville Chamber of Commerce ROC’s (Recognizing Organizations and Companies that Shine in our Community) Entrepreneur of the Year Award. IQ Inc. was also named a finalist in the 2007 Pittsburgh Business Ethics Awards- Small Business Category by the Society of Financial Services Professionals, Pittsburgh Chapter.
VanKirk does not need to look far to find her source of inspiration.
“I believe that my father had the greatest influence on me. He ran a business from our home and was successful in raising 13 dynamic and individual children while creating a business that has since been passed on to future generations,” VanKirk said. “Over the years, he bestowed on me many great words of wisdom – two that come directly to mind. First, always take care of your employees before taking care of yourself; (I am sure this sounded simple at the time, but for my father, feeding 15 mouths every day must have been daunting at times). Secondly, Good Better Best, never let them rest, ‘til your good is better and your better is best. I must have repeated this mantra a million times without really understanding what it meant. My father instilled in me to always strive to be the very best, in anything and he lived by these words.”
VanKirk serves on the Executive committee of the Westmoreland Chamber of Commerce, the Murrysville Personnel Board and was recently appointed to the Forbes Health Foundation Board of Directors of the Western Pennsylvania Hospital Forbes Regional Campus. She is also an active member of the following organizations: Women in Technology, Pittsburgh Technology Council, the Society of Women Engineers, the Women’s Presidents’ Organization, the Murrysville Business Development Committee, the Monroeville Chamber of Commerce, the Pittsburgh Airport Chamber of Commerce and the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council: PA-DE-South NJ chapter. She is a founding member of the United Way Women’s Leadership Council, in Westmoreland County whose goal is to ensure that the elderly citizens of the community are fairly represented. Barbara resides in Murrysville with her husband and her two children.
Her advice for other women in business is simple and succinct.
“Go after your dreams, build a plan, don’t take yourself too seriously, keep your sense of humor and always find time for “yourself,” VanKirk said. “Never compromise your principals and surround yourself with great people. Remember that coming together is only a beginning. Keeping together is progress and true success is working together.”
Nov
12
12
IQ Inc. Begins 15 Year Anniversary Celebration!
By MikeD under 15 Year Anniversary Celebration, Press Release
IQ Inc, a technical consulting and software development company located in Murrysville, Pennsylvania, began its 15 Year Anniversary celebration Friday, November 7th 2008. The festivities began with a launch party held at the Marquis Place Clubhouse in Murrysville and will conclude with the final party in October 2009. Events throughout the year will include various projects, fundraisers and parties for employees, clients, families and members of the business and local communities.
IQ consultants and their families kicked off the 15 Year Anniversary Celebration with a party at Marquis Place in Murrysville!
Jul
01
01
The Courage to Inspire: Saluting the Leading Women in Business
By MikeD under In The News
Andrew DiPanfilo, BusinessLeader.com
Excerpt from Article
Barbara VanKirk – IQ Murrysville, PA When Barbara VanKirk founded IQ in 1994, her vision was to provide professional consulting and software development services to IT companies in the Pittsburgh area, contributing to the growing needs of IT professionals. After nearly fifteen years and countless accomplishments, IQ and VanKirk have moved on to become an incredible success story within their industry. Recently breaking into new market segments like the emerging software development market for local nonprofits and small and mid-sized businesses, IQ is poised for even more expansion. VanKirk’s dedication and desire have helped her company grow exponentially and have garnered countrywide recognition from the likes of Enterprising Womens Magazine and The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Dept. of Economic Development. Excited for the future, VanKirk is thankful for the dedication and diligent work of her employees, who look to her for inspiration. Her motto remains: “lead by example, and you will be followed.” 2007 Revenue: $10,000,000
The history of women in business is a long and diverse chapter in the pages of American history; filled with stories of success, perseverance and unwavering resolve. Thousands of strong women have achieved success in all areas of business, finance, marketing and in other power positions all over the country and the world, using their unending strength to break the old molds and to allow themselves to be cast in the new ones. These women have become the new role models, so that those of us in the next generation might build upon their legacy of pride, confidence and achievement. It is our hope that, by celebrating these
Jan
08
08
Barbara VanKirk recognized as an “Enterprising Woman of the Year” by Enterprising Women’s Magazine
By MikeD under Awards, In The News, Press Release
Barbara VanKirk, President and Owner of IQ Inc. will be honored by Enterprising Women’s Magazine as one of 2008’s Enterprising Women of the Year Award winners. This award honors the country’s most outstanding women entrepreneurs for their tremendous business success and the profound impact they have on their community. “The Enterprising Women of the Year Award” celebration brings together the nation’s finest women entrepreneurs to recognize their accomplishments and celebrate their outstanding achievements. “The award recipients are influential, powerful women with high-growth businesses who are leaders in their communities and have given back to mentor other women entrepreneurs,” says Monica Smiley, Publisher and CEO of Enterprising Women’s Magazine.
Award recipients will be honored at a gala dinner on Friday, February 29th 2008 at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa located in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.
Nov
01
01
Barbara VanKirk named “Entrepreneur of the Year” by the Monroeville Chamber of Commerce’s ROCs Awards – Recognize Organization and Companies that Shine in our Community
By MikeD under Awards, In The News, Press Release
Barbara VanKirk, President and Owner of IQ Inc. was awarded the 2007 Monroeville Area Chamber of Commerce’s ROC’s Entrepreneur of the Year Award. The ROCs Awards Recognize Organizations and Companies that Shine in our Community are presented each year by the Monroeville Area Chamber of Commerce. Ms. VanKirk was honored at an awards celebration on Saturday, November 10th 2007 at Stratigos Banquet Centre in North Huntingdon, Pennsylvania.
Feb
05
05
IQ Inc. named by the Pennsylvania Business Central as one of the “Top 20 Women-Owned Businesses”
By MikeD under Awards, In The News, Press Release
IQ Inc. Makes Top 20 List!
IQ Inc. was named by the Pennsylvania Business Central as one of the Top 20 Women-Owned Businesses, 2007. The Pennsylvania Business Central is an independently owned bi-weekly business newspaper covering 16 counties in central and western Pennsylvania.
