Letter on the Third — December 2018
Dear Datamax Family,
I’d like to open by wishing each and every one of you a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. I always enjoy this time of the year, as we reflect on the past 12 months. We explore what was successful, what wasn’t, and prepare our plans for the New Year to continue our path of Creating Raving Fans.
But before we look back - or forward - let’s not forget that we have unfinished business. As you already noticed by the theme of this month’s Rave Review, it’s the Fourth Quarter at Datamax. It’s game time.
It’s only natural to approach the holidays and begin to reach celebration mode. But not yet! We need to make sure we stay focused on each individual task at hand. We look forward to this season and the festivities that come with it, but we need to do whatever it is we need to get done in a timely manner…before we celebrate.
2018 has been a phenomenal year for this organization. It started big in January, with the acquisition of East Texas Copy Systems. I have very much appreciated watching these two cultures come together and coalesce into something bigger and better as one Datamax. Raving Fans are being made all over East Texas right now. Also, I believe within this acquisition, we’ve provided new opportunities to people in East Texas as the evolution of the Datamax Way continues.
We’ve also continued to hold steady in our commitment to hiring from within, whenever possible. As a few examples here in Arkansas, John Garrison taking over as sales manager, Kristin Finkbeiner becoming our new administration manager. Traci Wilson assumed the role of Human Resources. As we talk about longevity within our organization, these are living, breathing examples.
The highlights of the past year are numerous. Being named “Best Places to Work in Arkansas” (and being in the top five) again was an honor, as was being named an “Elite Dealer” by ENX Magazine. In Texas, we were ATSP certified for an unprecedented 11th year in a row, the only dealership in the nation to do so. We were named a Canon Advanced Partner for a fifth straight year, and our organization also again obtained Microsoft Gold Partner Status. Finally, we can now consider ourselves one of the top 8 or 9 largest Canon dealerships in the entire country. That is certainly green and growing!
What do all these reoccurring accomplishments and benchmarks mean? To me, it begins with hiring the right people, and having the right programs in place to ensure success and longevity. A lot of organizations talk about culture, but Datamax lives by our company philosophies, we don’t accept mediocrity, and we plan for our success.
Don’t forget: All of these massive successes begin with each and every one of you, individually, every single day.
I wish you and your’s a very, very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! My wish for you this month is to enjoy your time with family and friends, to reflect on your own 2018 here at Datamax, and begin looking toward a fulfilling and successful 2019.
The Best is Yet to Be.
Your Raving Fan,
