Chris Crawford likes to keep a low profile. Even though his software business, founded in 2000, consistently breaks its own sales records the CEO insists that, “We like to promote the brands we represent and not us.”

TCMPi – The Corporate Market Place Inc. – is a procurement hub that uses unique, custom-designed software to fill a million orders a day – all via computer. Eight years ago Crawford came up with the idea of providing Fortune 1000 companies with a service designed to boost company incentive programs; and it’s taken off beyond his wildest dreams.

“We regularly attend trade shows collecting the very best brands from around the world, and we get them to recipients right away. High-end jewelry and watches, leather goods, and various electronics are some of the items (from 4,000 stores) we provide for companies such as American Express to feature in its rewards catalogues,” Crawford said. The company is also working on increasing its blossoming business relationship with Amazon.com

When large corporations decide to run an incentive campaign many turn to TCMPi’s alternative distribution channels; and they never have to think about it again.

Brand name products including Kenneth Cole, Tag Heuer, Ray-Ban and Baume & Mercier are just a few of the motivational items Crawford provides to customers, employees and clients. “We offer a hub that allows members to use their points to order online. Most times the item is shipped out on the same day;many are processed in just 45 minutes,” he said.

The North Kingstown company, which includes marketing and technology services as well as program management, has been extremely successful, with the company increasing profit “every year since we started,” he said. In fact, TCMPi has no debt and has maintained a growth rate of 1,868 percent over the past three years. It also now has 25 sales offices nationwide.

It’s no wonder Inc. Magazine named TCMPi the 8th-fastest growing software company in the country, and the 73rd-fastest growing privately held company in the country. TCMPi also came in at No. 44 in the Top 100 retail companies in the U.S. “The genius of our software system is that it makes the process easy for corporations as well as members and it’s all done online, meaning there’s no paper involved – which makes it ‘green,’ ” Crawford said.

Vinnie Davis, third-generation owner of M.A. Reich Jewelry Manufacturing Co. in Buffalo, NY, said everyone thought he was nuts when he agreed to invest $20,000 to help Crawford start his company. But he’d known Crawford for quite awhile.

“It was a roll of the dice, but when he presented his plan to me I thought it was a revolutionary idea. I believed in him and got in on the ground floor – and I have no regrets,” Davis said.

Reich Jewelry gets orders from TCMPi daily and Davis said they can be for anything from a pair of silver onyx earrings to a 3-to-4 carat diamond tennis bracelet. “Some of our stuff is actually featured on the American Express Web site now. Incentive gifts are also bought by companies to reward an employee for working at the company for 10 years or more,” he said.

Davis also said he feels part of what makes TCMPi so successful is the fact that Crawford hires people who really know how to photograph jewelry. “The key to selling jewelry online is coming up with the best possible images. The photos need to be high resolution and the lighting has to be just right to best showcase the items,” he said.

Crawford uses US Air as an example of how incentive and reward gifts can positively affect business. “US Air was in pretty bad shape for a while back, and then it started a rewards program aimed at employees, including baggage handlers. It made a huge difference and the company is doing great now,” said Crawford.

He also said that as recently as 20 to 30 years ago most corporate rewards were given to the same top 5 percent of employees every year. But today, award and incentive programs are available to more than just the top producers. In fact corporate America spends $30 million annually on recognition solutions.

TCMPi has fewer than 20 employees and Crawford tries to treat them well.

“I just take my profits and keep re-investing them in the company and my employees,” Crawford said. He added that at the moment there isn’t a lot of competition, so he feels positive about the future growth of his company.

He says he’s never had to advertise.

“All of our business comes from referrals. Companies contact us all the time. We don’t want to have to tell people how good we are. We let our customers do the talking,” Crawford said.

The idea that corporations are rewarding people for good service and loyalty is one Crawford likes. “There’s someone in our office who always says, ‘You get more with honey than vinegar’ and that’s so true.” •