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Solutions Our company values are far more important than our mission. We must exhibit values that are irrefutable and consistently produce positive outcomes. What we do is not nearly as important as is how we do it. When you lead the pack everyone is watching you and looking for a critical flaw. Over the last 6 or 7 weeks we have been working on our company values statement. It is important for each of us to have a common understanding of what we hold dear. Our very actions, words and activities should be representative of these stated values. Over the next several months I will use the Company Vision to talk about the elements of our value, mission and quality statements. This month let's look at being a "… solutions oriented company …" "Solutions-oriented" requires being open minded and listening for opportunities to create solutions. As Tom Linnemann has said, "It is not a problem; but rather, an opportunity to excel." That is so very true. We must take every situation and find a "better mouse trap" solution in the issue and show the customer that we use our creativity in "thinking outside of the box". There are always alternatives to the way we have done it before. Alternatives need to be created and examined each time we have a stumbling block. These alternatives and creative solutions are why the customer pays extra. We add value to their product by being able to find creative solutions and improve an element of their delivery system. I believe an attitude of just saying "no, I can't" is not a solution; just negative thinking. We must be able to say, "Sure, I can do that." Then think outside of the box and find ways to make it happen. SFE is best known for our ability to "make magic happen" when the customer confronts us with an impossible need. We are able to do the impossible with little notice and find ways to achieve the customer's objective. These "impossible" tasks are the fuel of our company and keep our customers from looking elsewhere to find someone cheaper. Providing solutions is the essence of our success with our customers. Our customers find that our "magic" is standard business practice at SFE and have become to expect and rely on it. As we grow we do not want to lose sight of one of the prime elements that has made us strong. Keep finding those solutions! Frank |
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