The cheers from inside the boat carry across the water onto the shore at Willastein Lake.

Likewise, before the group even gets in the boat, a round of high fives are shared among rowers, along with a round of hoots and hollers as the Datamax Arkansas team prepares for another race. But perhaps even most impressive is, toward the end of the race, the roar coming from the banks – the group of employees, their families, and other supporters there simply to cheer their team on.

The third philosophy embedded into Ken Blachard’s “Gung-ho culture” is The Gift of the Goose. The Goose represents a commitment to congratulating superior work. The honking itself is a gift to one another - a way of cheering each other on. As the black V formations move across the sky from every direction, honking fills the air with joy. So, too, the roar from the banks at the Dragon Boat Festival.

A team that wins together celebrates together. Whether it's a Dragon Boat Race, President's or Ambassador's Club, or just a hallway high five, we're Rowing Gung-Ho at Datamax.

The River Cities Dragon Boat Festival

“Whether we’re on the boat, or you’re cooking like Russ Hill and Ken Allison do every year, setting up camp, planning fundraising efforts, or just on the sidelines supporting the team, everyone has their role to play. And cheering each other on is the way to do it,” Area Sales Manager and Rowing Team Captain Cody Simon said. “When you get off that boat, and you have a group of people saying great job, they’re enjoying it as much as you are, you realize you’re not just doing it for yourself. You’re representing Datamax.”

First-time rower Andrew Watson said he found himself more “jacked up” for each race than he could have imagined. The excitement was unmistakable.

“Being a part of this event was asking us to put into practice something we talk about every day (Gift of the Goose),” Watson said. “It gave us a chance to flex those cheerleading muscles. It was just exciting to see so many people show up for such a great cause. It was neat to see so many people, who had no plans to compete, to come out in the heat, get a bottle of water and sweat with the rest of us.”

President’s and Ambassador’s Club

In less than a month, sales team members across the company who qualified will embark on the President’s Club Trip. This year, the destination is the Unico Resort in the Riviera Maya of Mexico, an all-inclusive getaway that immerses guests in the culture of the region. It’s a fitting reward for sales members who’ve immersed themselves in their role over the past year.

Likewise, in Texas, Service and Administration members recently returned from their Ambassador’s Club Trip in Clearwater Beach, Florida.

“The Ambassador trip was designed to reward the top service, administrative, and warehouse people that helped us get to the goals of that year. We’ve had some unbelievable experiences in the past, present and will in the future, to reward those people. They are just as important as the sales team is to our sustained success,” Datamax Inc. President David Rhodes said.

At Your Desk. In the Hallway. On the Road. Anywhere at Datamax.

In the book “Gung Ho!” authors Ken Blanchard and Sheldon Bowles outline multiple guidelines for delivering “The Gift of the Goose.” Rule #2: No score, no game, and cheer the progress.

Further explained: Cheer the progress, not just the results. Cheering shouldn’t always be programmed, it should be spontaneous. You can never overdo congratulations, a high five, or a simple “job well done.”

A Gift of the Goose Refresher: a TRUE Congratulations

What's the most effective way to give recognition when it's due? Any congratulations must be: Timely. Responsive. Unconditional. Enthusiastic.

• T imely - Don't delay a congratulatory message!
• R esponsive - Respond positively anytime you see a teammate succeed!
• U nconditional - No strings attached!
• E nthusiastic - Go full Gung Ho in your praise!

Further Qualifications for a TRUE Congratulations:

1. Congratulations are affirmations that who people are and what they do matter, and that they are making a valuable contribution toward achieving a shared mission.
2. There are two types of congratulations: Active and passive.
3. Telling people what a great job they’ve done or presenting an award is an active congratulations.
4. Passive congratulations are such things as stepping aside and letting a team member go forward with a tricky, complicated, and important project, without exercising some sort of control or even offering advice.
5. And, finally, you can't overdo TRUE congratulations.