From the Colorado Front Range to the finest lake in the state 😆, faces were reunited square by square on the video screen.

Although initially unavailable, The Rave Review was fortunate enough to utilize GoMeet technology and recover the images for two of the meeting attendees (For those who don't show their face on video conferences, there ARE consequences!)

It was anything but a normal monthly sales meeting in Little Rock last week, given recent events. But as the GoMeet session began, rows of squares displayed Datamax names and faces, sales reps spread across the state of Arkansas, calling in from what looked like living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, the Little Rock demo room, even ... the lake?? ... the Front Range??

As the team locked in virtually, business went on as usual, even under unusual circumstances.

“It was so comforting to see those faces again,” Kathy Robison, IT Tech Care Manager in Little Rock, said. "As humans, we’re designed for social contact and communications. That’s all been changed ... that’s what you miss about not being at the office."

The team went one by one discussing what's worked since moving remotely because of COVID-19, what hasn't, and what important steps can be taken moving forward in this new, spread out working environment. They went over sales numbers, and then they went their separate ways.

As the team works from home it's also tasting some home cooking — the same video conferencing platform (GoMeet) that they are using, is the one Datamax is offering for free to its customers through Dec. 31, 2020.

"I think right now, we are trying to help businesses, city governments, organizations, to work remotely. And I think the fact we're working remotely not only gives us a sympathetic approach, but an empathetic approach," Kathy said. "We’re working remotely. We totally understand. Here’s some things we can offer to you."

In East Texas, 

Kaylee Lynn has found sanity — and success —  in developing a solid schedule for herself at her new home office. Get up. Get dressed. Get started.

The Tyler account representative, dividing her day into two-hour blocks (from paperwork to cold calls to checking in on customers), has seen an enormous hike in activity and customer response.

"Her cold call phone volume has increased and that has led to the orders she has already put in the system," East Texas Area Sales Manager Kenny Prince said.

Kaylee isn't certain why she's getting such great responses — many are not tied up with a multitude of other tasks, she figures — but they're creating value in unexpected ways.

"I called one customer just to check in, and she was putting off submitting a service call because she thought we weren't in the office. I reached out and put the service call in for her," Kaylee said. "I think, just letting customers know we’re still here, knowing that our company is in a good position still to take care of them — there's significant value in that."

Kenny says he's proud of how his team has reacted thus far. Attitude and gratitude — both hugely encouraging qualities he's seen. 

"Great attitudes. That is number 1. Everyone is resolved to the situation and has managed to keep a positive outlook," Kenny said. "I think number 2 is gratitude. Gratitude to still be working in an industry that has been hard hit across the board with layoffs and cutbacks."

In Dallas/Fort Worth,

Steve Kennemer has been in the business for 39 years, and he's never seen anything like this. Ever. The mass business closings. The hesitancy to let people (technicians) in the front door of an office.  The uncertainty of what lies ahead.

The road has been tricky the past two weeks. But the response? It's been tremendous. 

"In no way are we medical heroes, but these guys are very much first responders," Steve said.  "The guys are going out into the field without question. They know if businesses are open right now, we are an essential business to keep our economy up and running. They’re anxious for a phone to call to come in. They're asking, 'how am I needed?' 'How can I help?' It’s just incredible."

Meanwhile, Service Managers, like Daniel Ketchum, are providing support and expertise remotely via phone to all technicians.

"It’s showing you how strong and how good of a team that you have. Everybody’s working together," Steve said. "As a leader of the team, that makes you feel like a happy dad."

Back at the Office,

Little Rock Administration Manager Kristen Finkbeiner misses the camaraderie. The laughter through the hallways. Even the notoriously loud sales people who shake things up along the top floor of the Little Rock office.

There's a definite quiet isolation at the office. But also the solitude of knowing that there's still plenty to be done.

"Quite frankly, it's been very weird. I don’t know another term other than weird. We’re used to being in this environment with all this going on," Kristen said. "I feel like we’ve definitely settled in now…..This is just our temporary new. We still have orders, supply requests, customers calling on invoices, we're still collecting. Reps still need information from us."

In other words, the work is still being completed. 

And as this temporary new drags on for another month, there's gratitude, for Kristen and for all of us, in knowing that that there's still so much to be done. From wherever that may be.