Letter on the Third — December 2023

Dear Datamax Family,

The spirit of this season is so dynamic in so many ways.

Every December I spend a good amount of time reflecting on the previous year. What worked? What am I proud of? What needs to be improved upon? It’s a great exercise in self-improvement, but this time of reflection also reminds me of all the wonderful things that are around us as a family and a company. This season has a funny way of bringing that out every year.

This season is about change.

2023, for our family, introduced a new dimension with the birth of our second grandchild, Charlie. Needless to say, this holiday season will be incredibly special for the Simon family because of this. It has been fascinating to watch older brother Barrett embrace his new sibling and welcome him wholeheartedly. It’s a similar sentiment I feel should be shared whenever a new employee comes into the Datamax family. Change is constant. How do we welcome it with positivity?

This season is about conquering challenges.

Speaking of spirit… The Spirit of the Squirrel (page 26 of the Little Blue Book) is all about doing worthwhile work. We all know that challenges are imminent. Embracing the Spirit of the Squirrel means tackling your day-to-day challenges with squirrel-like energy and passion because you know what you’re doing is important, it positively affects the bigger picture, and it ultimately benefits others. As you wind down 2023 in hopes of achieving your goals, I encourage you to embrace the Spirit of the Squirrel.

This season is about community.

Our company’s culture is built upon the idea that we remain involved corporate citizens in our communities. If we’re not actively finding ways to give back to the community, be it by sponsoring an event, helping a local charity, or volunteering our time in our local areas, we’re not living out our cultural mission. On a more personal level, this is about truly getting to know your customers. Know who they are, and what they’re excited about. When they’re sick, call and check on them. There’s no better time than this holiday season to remind our customers how much we care.

As you read in the intro to this Newsletter, the spirit of this season is multi-faceted, doling out feelings of enthusiasm, creativity, and passion. As we connect with our communities and families over the holidays, it’s my wish that you embrace the spirit of this season in every way possible, fueling our hopes for even greater heights in the year to come. That’s the spirit. 

The Best is Yet to Be.