Letter on the Third — January 2021

Dear Datamax Family,

Back in 1993, our Datamax Arkansas branch enjoyed unprecedented growth as a company, which should be (and was) a cause for celebration. But, frankly, we weren’t prepared for it. Our service teams got overwhelmed, morale was rough, and the sudden growth created some real challenges for the organization moving forward.

So what did we do? We accepted the challenge and we took a hard look at our culture.

Our Datamax Corporate Theme for 2021 is “Challenge 2021.” With 2020 still near in our rearview mirror, we are no stranger to challenges. COVID-19 reinvented the way people do business, and forced us to reevaluate our mindset and go-to-market philosophies as a business technology resource. From evolved print behavior to customer engagement obstacles to safety precautions, 2021 will bring enormous challenges.

As it is stated in our 2021 Corporate Theme Summary, “a new normal demands a new way of looking at our customers, and ourselves,” in 2021. And, once again, I think that’s where culture comes in.

Not having all of our technicians or IT engineers in the office everyday creates its own challenge. If you’re not in the office every day, you don’t see the success. You don’t take in the camaraderie. The challenge for executives and managers is: “How do you make people feel a part of a winning culture when they don’t see us every day?” For me, personally, it’s a challenge to ensure everyone knows unequivocally that we care about employees’ well-being and their safety. We owe everyone the commitment to misting our offices, equipping our technicians with protective gear, making sure people are wearing face masks, social distancing, and not putting our own in harm’s way.

I would also offer up a personal challenge for employees.

The same thing that you would ask from the company, you should ask of yourselves. What I would say is that everyone be safe, be mindful, think hard about your routines outside of the office and take every precaution you can.

In 1995, when we found ourselves overcome by a multitude of challenges: That’s when I first shook hands with Mike Riordan. At Datamax, we began instituting things like SBS (Success by Selection), ASK (Attitude, Skills and Knowledge) and TEAM methodologies. We also collaborated with all of our offices to construct the Little Blue Book. These enrichment exercises – and many others - became the building blocks of how we roll as an organization. And the culture changed for the better.

What challenges do you face in 2021?

There are certainly ones for all of us ahead. And as with this year, or any new set of challenges, all positions matter. We’ll overcome 2021’s obstacles because, as you know well by now, culture trumps everything – even this new normal we find ourselves in. The Best is Yet to Be.