Day after day your employees show up at your office or jobsites and you expect them to perform at the same level that you do as the owner or manager.  While this may seem realistic, it can actually be achieved if you give them a rewarding place of employment.  So how do you do it in your company?  I would love to hear from you!   At MD Manufacturing we have instituted a number of policies that certainly help.  First, our company purpose statement places a solid emphasis on the value of each and every employee. 

We don’t just talk it, we live it.  That’s one of the main reasons why our offices are only open four days per week.  We want to insure that our employees receive adequate time for rest, relaxation, and family activities.  They DO come back to work refreshed on Mondays eager to work.  In fact a good percentage of them are here 15 minutes early waiting outside the gate for us to unlock it.  They’ve got great attitudes and sincerely desire to make the other employees successful. But more importantly, MD goes through an extensive screening process for each and every hire.  We hire slowly and keep them long.  We call on references and make sure they have personal character; not just adequate job skills.  We analyze their fit into our corporate culture.  We have a series of individuals interview them before making a decision and we always attempt to make sure that the company will be a good match for them as well.  We even encourage our employees to pursue their dreams even if it means they will eventually be employed elsewhere.  A number of them have used their position at MD as a stepping stone for a higher level job elsewhere.  Through it al, MD has gained a loyal friend and participated in the professional success of others.  What an excellent reward!

Another key motivator is providing them with the tools to succeed in their position.  Whether it is a headset for someone in customer service or the programs for our art department, we do not want to allow a simple impediment to slow them down in their success.  But more importantly you need to empower them to make necessary decisions within their department.  Customer service should be able to authorize replacement parts right on the spot!  The production department should be able to decide alternate manufacturing techniques to improve processes.  I believe many of our dealers get extremely frustrated with their employees (and vice versa) because they define installation methods too narrowly.  If the worker fully understands his job and performs well every day, let him or her make decisions that improve their own tasks.

I can also state that we are truly blessed with a fantastic staff here at MD and they make my job as manager far easier.  Having confidence that they all are working towards a common goal allows us all to improve the environment for each other.  Sure we have occasional parties where we all race go-carts, have picnics, or barbeques, but the tangible employee satisfaction comes from knowing that you have participated in a growing organism and you contribute to its success. 

I would love to hear your perspective.  (This includes fellow employees!)

Grant Olewiler Grant@builtinvacuum.com

First, our new AirForce Central Vacuum received the prestigious “Product of the Year” Award from Electronic House magazine. Never before has any central vacuum placed in this category so we feel this is a very high honor. Obviously they recognized the incredible advances MD has made in eliminating the low voltage wire and adding electronic features such as e-mail bag-full notification.

Custom Retail Magazine further presented MD with an “Excite Award” for a product that brings excitement to the Custom Home Electronics industry.

General Manager, Grant Olewiler was also a guest speaker on the nationally syndicated talk show “Into Tomorrow” with Dave Graveline. The show aired last Sunday the 14th at 2:00 – 5:00 EST. To find a member station visit : http://www.graveline.com/affiliate-radio-stations/ . Or to listen to past shows, visit: http://www.graveline.com/go/weekly-shows/

Obviously MD is making serious waves in the home electronics business and we want your company to be a part of this excitement. Feel free to use the accompanying logo as part of any advertising you do.