SOME MILESTONES DESERVE MORE THAN A MERE MOMENT

By Neville Chaney

My wife (Trimella) loves to celebrate her birthday as much as anyone I know. That celebration happens in the summertime and normally it’s several days long because she celebrates not only with family, but close friends as well (over multiple days).

In December of this year, WJ Office celebrates its 50^th anniversary and we’ve decided to celebrate the WHOLE YEAR. During this year, we want to share with you some morsels of information that relate to history, observations, suggestions, and maybe some “good to know” things that might entertain or be of interest.

In a previous post, I wrote about teammates. Every business must have a strong staff. Over the years, like any business, we have had strong teammates and for some of that time we had folks who simply did not work out. Right person, right role, right team is critical to success for any organization. Jim Collins’ book Good to Great called it having the right people on the bus. I’ve found that he was correct in saying that until you have the “right people on the bus” (and in the right role) you are truly hampered. I have encountered times over WJ Office’s history where we had some folks who were not a great fit. It took courage and compassion to help these people find a different, more suitable occupation. We also had times where we found ourselves in need of filling a role that was vacated by a team member. On a several occasions, a present member of our staff was willing and able to step into a new role. Having flexible teammates who are willing to fill a role to meet the organization’s needs has made us stronger.

Revenue generating personnel are only as good as their supporting cast. I’ve heard that only 15% of the population is suited for a sales role. As a person who has been selling, hiring salespeople, training salespeople, and firing salespeople – I can attest to this statistic. Revenue production is the lifeblood of any business. In our business, the service department is also critical in the revenue production area. They are classified as support, but the recurring revenue that we bill on service contracts is due to their efforts and expertise. Giving them proper training gives them the confidence and ability to keep the equipment working and the customers productive.

Three people currently on my staff started in sales and moved into other areas of responsibility to help us build a stronger business. Strong teams make strong businesses better. They create a culture of accountability and responsibility, and it’s evident in the way the organization is viewed by the public.

As organizations get stronger, more of the day-to-day running of that organization can rest with teammates who have proven they can handle that responsibility. WJ Office is an example of that statement. No longer must I be in the office each day. It’s allowed for more time to think and plan. It has also allowed the staff to grow in their ability to manage different situations and grow in their expertise.

And maybe that’s why celebrating a milestone like this over the course of a full year feels right. Just like Trimella’s birthday isn’t meant to be confined to a single day, neither is a 50-year journey built on people, growth, and shared experiences. It deserves more time, more reflection, and more moments to appreciate the many individuals who helped make it possible—one day (and one teammate) at a time.