To fortify means to strengthen and secure, to give physical strength, courage, or endurance to. Beaver dams must be fortified regularly.

When the dam is broken, ALL beavers immediately start repairing it, each confident and free in their specific role. They trust each other in their dedication towards the common goal of the group.

In other words, every job matters.

In the book “Gung Ho!,” after observing a group of beavers hurriedly, yet succinctly, repairing a dam, the narrator offers Andy one additional, crucial lesson on how “The Way of the Beaver” really works.

“By setting the key goals and values, you define the playing field and the rules of the game. You decide who plays what position. Then, you have to get off the field and let the players move the ball.”

Once the dam is stabilized and the direction is validated, achieving the goal means employees knowing their role, confident that their role matters, and empowered to deliver a strong contribution to the Datamax 2021 vision. Consider this quote below: 

The Way of the Beaver involves people knowing that their thoughts, feelings, needs and dreams are respected, listened to and acted upon. Empowered employees are those in the information loop. They understand why their work is important for the organization." - Ken Blanchard, "Gung Ho!"

Every Job Matters: 6 Ways The Way of The Beaver Applies at Datamax 

• The Little Blue Book: It all starts here. This cultural guidebook spells out in writing our philosophies, our principles, and literally how we roll. It even reinforces, in Principle #13, that every job is important.
• Mutual commitments: When each manager meets with employees to review their Mutual Commitments, it's a time to sit down and discuss accomplishments, areas of concern, and ways for improvement moving forward.
• Kick-off meetings: These annual events in Texas and Arkansas are powerful gatherings where employees see departmental accomplishments from the past year and strategies for the future.
• Rave Review: This online publication exists as a means of communicating and sharing the raves of our very own.
• Coronavirus video updates: President Barry Simon implemented this in March to "let everyone know that they were important, and to share with everyone what needed to be done."
• 401K/benefits/etc. meetings: These regularly scheduled enrollment meetings pass along vital information as it pertains to the benefits Datamax offers its employees. 

As President Barry Simon mentions, when we consider what The Way of the Beaver really means, don't forget the way 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 pick it up and take it elsewhere, but each animal moves with confidence, knowing its specific role in the goal at hand. 

It comes down to the right work, being done the right way, always in control.