Letter on the Third — December 2020

Dear Datamax Family,

The holiday season, for me, is a distinct time for family. Even though this year may look and feel a little different than most, it’s still an opportunity to appreciate and understand the value of what family means.

When I look at all of our people here, I see a family. I see a group of professionals with shared values, enthusiastically motivated to work not just for their own fortunes, but for the greater good of the family. Frankly, it’s the reason we made the decisions we did during the pandemic to not let anyone go. It wasn’t a decision based on the organization. It was a decision we made for the people inside the organization.

The people around you are invaluable. And though time brings inevitable change, and traditions and routines evolve with it, family matters.

A family does whatever it takes to succeed.

Growing up on the North Side of Chicago, my three brothers and I were on our own a lot. My father, when we were kids, worked harder than anyone I know: First, at a gas station, and then later working for Sipi Metals, where he recycled metals from scrap generated by various industries.

As kids, when we weren’t in school, we were playing ball at nearby Eugene Field, or catching the L-Train to the Museum of Science and Industry or to Wrigley Field (we’d clean a section of the bleachers the day before for free tickets to the game). Meanwhile, whether he intended to or not, my father taught me the value of hard labor, of resiliency, of doing whatever it takes to provide for those he loved.

Family embraces change.

The Simon household is filled with holiday traditions. From putting ornaments on the tree (ones that my wife Patti dutifully removes and replaces to her liking), to replanting the Christmas tree in our yard, to opening gifts together, we understand these to be wonderful, yet not permanent traditions. My son Cody, of course, is now grown up, and his wife Drew is now part of our family celebration. On top of that, many of the family and friends we usually see will be put on hold this year because of the pandemic.

Family dynamics change – both at home and in the workplace. It’s imperative that we adapt.

Family opens its doors to loved ones.

Although it’s unlikely to happen this year, in the 10 or so years past, I’ve invited old friends and their significant others to celebrate the holidays with our family. As I was growing up, people did the same for me. No one should be left alone on the holidays.

Family reflects, but keep its eye on the future.

Every December, Patti writes a letter reflecting on everything our family and the company did throughout the year. I’ve always enjoyed reading it, looking back on everything we accomplished, and maybe some things I might do differently in the future. I then take that opportunity to begin writing down goals for the coming year.

This holiday season, I encourage you take some time to look in the mirror. Just like any family, we make mistakes. And it’s important that when we do make mistakes, that we should own up to it, and then begin planning for what happens next.

We’ve endured an unprecedented year because, like any strong family, we’ve invested in each other. As a company, we’ve always done things that allowed us to make the appropriate decisions, not just for today’s well-being but for our future. A future that benefits each and every one of us. That’s what family is. The Best is Yet to Be.