Talk about professional growth. Kristen Finkbeiner says she “grew up” at Datamax.

The Little Rock Administrative Manager says if you saw the shy, timid girl that walked into the front doors of Datamax in 2011, you wouldn’t recognize her. But like any consummate professional with a projected outcome in sight, she’s grown. Exponentially.

Fanatical is a funny word — to some, it might seem extreme. While other adjectives could capture her overall experience at Datamax, fanatical seems to fit. Kristen approaches coworkers with absolute enthusiasm. She attacks her daily mission with unrelenting zeal. She advises her team with a positivity that breeds the upmost collaboration and respect from those who share her cube space.

She’s fanatical about Datamax. And make no mistake, those around her are fanatical about Kristen.

Fanatical Growth.

Kristen graduated from the University of Arkansas in May of 2011 with no idea of what to do next. While she harbored ambitions of working in the restaurant industry, a few negative experiences had left her with a bad taste. In the meantime, she’d decided she wanted the stability that came with a 9 to 5 job.

“It was towards the end of the recession. The economics were not great, and I was a newbie,” Kristen says. “I had gone on a couple of interviews for administrative roles that just tanked for one reason or another.”

So she did her research. A magazine article listed the 10 best Arkansas companies in a number of industries, and Datamax’s name came up. Knowing nothing about the copier industry, she went to the website anyway, saw an opening, and applied.

“I always joke that I have a sixth sense and I can read into things pretty well,” Kristen says. “I was incredibly nervous, but (then Admin Manager) Traci Wilson put me at ease. I got to talk about what I had been doing, and what I want for my future. I knew already at that point, that I wanted personal advancement and growth. And I voiced that in the interview.”

Zooming forward to the present, her voice was heard.

Starting as an administrative assistant, Kristen handled billing for the sales team. Then she took on contract billing. Then IT billing as well. She assisted in training when new admin hires were made. She even rolled with sales reps if a large account needed special billing.

In June 2017, having just returned from vacation the day before, she was told that VP of Operations Greg Kirtman wanted to speak with her. Kristen’s immediate reaction was dread.

“My eyes were wide. I’m thinking ‘what’s going on??’” Kristen says.

Dread quickly turned to delight. Kristen was being offered the position of Administrative Manager. An aspiration put into words in her very first interview was being put into reality. She worked with Greg on both short and long term goals for the department, and off she went.

The professional growth, of course, was just beginning.

Fanatical Friendships.

Kristen is fanatically frank about the gig for anyone on her team. “You better be a multi-tasking queen (if you want to succeed),” she says.

It’s true. Kristen sets expectations high in prioritizing tasks both internal and external, and also being responsive to customer needs and potential problems. In addition,  doing the “small things” that can make a difference in a customer’s experience.

But there’s a deeper sense to her leadership skillset. Like a skilled tailor, Kristen delicately weaves in between the threads of “boss,” “mentor,” and “friend” to nourish camaraderie and to nurture team spirit for the mission ahead. In short:

• She goes to bat for her team.
• She knows precisely when it’s necessary to email someone and “remind them how far they’ve come.”
• She presents regular feedback when improvements are necessary.
• She knows that setting an example is “more than words.” She leads with her actions.

Mirroring the qualities of a dear friend, she’s open and honest. She’s a superstar at support. She’s constantly listening and available any time, any day.

Read what fanatical things her team members have to say:

She truly cares about everyone on her team and wants to see them succeed. She will do anything in her power to help us when we are struggling and she will push us when we need that too! - Kim Clark

I would say there are so many aspects but the fact she treats you as family and not as an employee is such a big one for me. I know that if something is wrong at work or even at home she will be there for anyone on her team. She has a big heart and will go to bat for us if we need her to. She is the most helpful and understanding boss I have ever had and I am forever grateful for her. - Keli Collins

I love that she truly cares about us, and ALWAYS has her door open if we have any concerns. Back when I was a biller, and completely drowning, she noticed that I wasn’t the same person. I let her know about my issues of being in that position and that I was just not happy, and she very quickly got me out of that spot and has moved me to a temporary position, in order for me to go back to the love of my life, collections. - Denee Hayes

She is very humble person which makes her a great leader, not just a boss. She communicates so well with our team and never leaves us wondering what’s next. With her being the Admin Manager for four different locations you would think she would be under a lot of pressure, but if she is it never shows ... She always keeps up with what’s going on with us, not only in our work environment but in our everyday lives. - Kym Whittaker

She handles everything thrown her way with dignity and grace. She is very efficient and always willing to go above and beyond for not only her employees but for customers as well. Seriously the BEST BOSS I have ever had. - Lindsey Russett

I am not sure I can narrow it to one. She is always helpful, a fighter and a friend. She will fight for you and what she thinks is right even if she doesn’t always win you always know she has your back as well as with life. She is always there during work hours or not. I am thankful for her as a boss and a friend. - Jamie Hughes

Fanatical Sense of Gratitude.

When asked to describe her Datamax experience in a few words, “grateful” comes to light quickly. Kristen talks candidly about a few of her own personal life challenges, and how people at the office continued to fight for her and support her throughout.

And then, Kristen harkens back to that very first interview. The one when she made it clear her ambitions for both leadership and professional growth in the road ahead. And how that, too, came to light.

“Basically the whole company provided a platform for me to grow as a person. I was able to develop the skillsets and the confidence it takes to support a team,” Kristen said. “I’m grateful to work at a place that has allowed me to ‘grow up’ here.”