Letter on the Third — November 2020
Dear Datamax Family,
If someone were flipping through the Little Blue Book, and were to ask me about what “The Way of the Beaver: In control of achieving the goal” means, I would start by asking them this: “Have you ever seen beavers work?”
They’re out repairing the dam, but all doing different things at once. One may bring something over, and another may pick it up and take it elsewhere, but each animal moves with confidence, knowing its specific role in the goal at hand. It’s the same at Datamax. Whether you’re out creating a sale, setting up the order, handling the billing, or delivering the equipment, everyone is filling their own space to make that customer a Raving Fan. It comes down to the right work, being done the right way, always in control.
As we all know, COVID-19 broke the dam of business as we knew it. These new realities present new challenges that will require beaver-like skills to ultimately achieve our goal. As we inch closer to the end of the year, the work is already being done to define what we will look like – who will we be – in 2021 and beyond.
It starts with understanding the changing playing field.
What role will print play in the COVID-19 marketplace? If people aren’t at the office, what does that mean? And more specifically – how do we continue to present value to them? As environments change, how are we meeting the changing needs with our array of technology solutions?
It continues with strategic planning.
Over the next month, executives and managers will be busily putting together business plans for 2021. It’s through these highly strategic meetings that we’ll begin defining where we are headed, setting a course, sharing our goals, and constantly keeping our eyes on what’s next.
It’s successful when everyone feels empowered.
One of the main tenets of “The Way of the Beaver:” People who are truly in control work for organizations that value them as persons. Their thoughts, feelings, needs, and dreams are respected, listened to, and acted upon. Going back to when the pandemic started, one of my main objectives with the weekly videos was to reinforce to everyone why their work was so important. We empowered people to work from home. We know that employees feel confident when they can make decisions. And I say this often, but we want to fail forward. If you make a decision, don’t feel bad if we have to go back and talk about it. Feel empowered.
Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and I feel like we at Datamax have much to be grateful for. I hope you all feel proud to be part of a company that stands behind its employees, its customers, and the products and services it offers. I wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving and remind you to stay safe. The Best is Yet to Be.
