The Kalkaska Way – Kalkaska Screw Products

THINK SAFE. WORK SAFE. Know and practice the safety procedures for your job. Watch out for the safety of your teammates as well, for we’re all part of the Kalkaska Screw Products Team. Never take shortcuts that compromise your safety or that of your teammates. Work to a level of safety that allows you to get back home to your family at the end of your day.
MAKE QUALITY PERSONAL. Demonstrate a passion for craftsmanship and excellence. Take pride in the quality of everything you touch and everything you do. Have a healthy disdain for mediocrity. Good is not good enough. Always ask yourself, “Is this my best work?”
“BRING IT” EVERY DAY. Have a passion for what we do and be fully engaged. Make the most of each day by arriving on time and approaching every task with energy, focus, purpose, and enthusiasm and a positive attitude. Work with a sense of urgency to get things done, yet be patient enough to stick with things.
BE PROCESS-DRIVEN. Strong processes allow us to be effective and efficient. Follow processes as stated. Use the processes we have in place and look to improve processes where and when we can, remembering that processes can only be changed by following the appropriate approval process. Blame the process first not the person.
DO THE RIGHT THING, ALWAYS. Demonstrate an unwavering commitment to doing the right thing in every action you take and in every decision you make, especially when no one’s looking. Always tell the truth, no matter the consequences. If you make a mistake, own up to it, apologize, and make it right. It’s never the wrong time to do the right thing, and it’s never the right time to do the wrong thing.
PRACTICE BLAMELESS PROBLEM-SOLVING. Demonstrate a relentless solution focus, rather than pointing fingers or dwelling on problems. Identify lessons learned and use those lessons to improve ourselves and our processes so we don’t make the same mistake twice. Get smarter with every mistake. Learn from every experience.
HONOR COMMITMENTS. Do what you say you’re going to do, when you say you’re going to do it. This includes being on time for all phone calls, appointments, meetings, and promises. If a commitment can’t be fulfilled, notify others early and agree on a new deliverable to be honored. Be consistent and be reliable.
GET CLEAR ON EXPECTATIONS. Create clarity and avoid misunderstandings by discussing expectations upfront. Set expectations for others and ask when you’re not clear on what they expect of you. End all meetings with clarity about action items, responsibilities, and due dates.
LISTEN GENEROUSLY. Listening is more than simply “not speaking.” Give others your undivided attention. Be present and engaged. Minimize the distractions and let go of the need to agree or disagree. Suspend your judgment and be curious to know more, rather than jumping to conclusions. Above all, listen to understand.
SPEAK STRAIGHT. Speak honestly in a way that helps to make progress. Say what you mean, and be willing to ask questions, share ideas, or raise issues that may cause conflict when it’s necessary for team success. Be courageous enough to say what needs to be said. Address issues directly with those who are involved or affected. Avoid indifference whenever possible and be a contributing member to the team.
CELEBRATE SUCCESS/SHOW MEANINGFUL APPRECIATION. Recognizing people doing things right is more effective than pointing out when they do things wrong. Regularly extend meaningful acknowledgment and appreciation — in all directions throughout our organization.
BE A FANATIC ABOUT RESPONSE TIME. Respond to questions and concerns quickly. This includes simply acknowledging that we got the question and we’re “on it,” as well as keeping those involved continuously updated on the status of outstanding issues.
SHARE INFORMATION. With appropriate respect for confidentiality, share information freely throughout our organization. The more people know, the better we can collaborate. Learn to ask yourself, “Who else needs to know this?”
ASSUME POSITIVE INTENT. Work from the assumption that people are good, fair, and honest, and that the intent behind their actions is positive. Set aside your own judgments and preconceived notions. Give people the benefit of the doubt and remember the Golden Rule: treat others like you want to be treated.
HAVE EACH OTHERS’ BACKS. It’s not about you. Don’t let your own ego or personal agenda get in the way of doing what’s best for the team. Be kind. Be there for each other and be willing to step into another role or help a co-worker when that’s what’s required for success. Help each other to succeed.
BE ACCOUNTABLE. Own your role and be committed to achieving your goals. Do the daily activities that lead to success. You control your destiny and are responsible for your success. Deliver results. Don’t accept excuses.
BE RELENTLESS ABOUT IMPROVEMENT. Come to the table with creative ideas and an energy level that results in a drive to complete tasks more effectively. Find ways to get things done better, faster, and more efficiently.
CONTRIBUTE TO SHAREHOLDER VALUE. We’re in business to generate value while making money. We all play a role in building revenue that exceeds our expenses. Look for ways to increase our productivity and to control our expenses.
EMBRACE CHANGE. What got us here is not the same as what will get us to the next level. Get outside your comfort zone, rather than stubbornly hanging on to old ways of doing things. Be excited by the possibilities that change and brings. Be flexible.
DO WHAT’S BEST FOR THE CUSTOMER. In all situations, do what’s best for the customer, even if it’s to our own short-term detriment. Put their needs ahead of our own. There’s no greater way to build a reputation than to steadfastly do what’s right for others. Every day.
WALK IN OTHERS’ SHOES. Understand your customers’ and teammates’ worlds. Know their challenges and frustrations. See the world from their perspective. The better you understand them, the more effectively you can anticipate and meet their needs.
GO THE EXTRA MILE. Be willing to do whatever it takes to accomplish the job . . . plus a little bit more. Whether it’s starting early, staying late, or doing something that’s not in your job description, it’s the extra mile that separates the ordinary from the extraordinary.
TAKE PRIDE IN OUR APPEARANCE. Your personal appearance makes a strong statement about the pride you take in your performance. Dress neatly and professionally. The appearance of our office makes a similar statement about the quality of our work. Take responsibility to see that our office environment and our facilities are clean, neat, and professional.
BE EASY TO WORK WITH. Find ways to make working with you/us easier. Provide simple and complete instructions. When in doubt, do more rather than pushing the work back to them. Streamline our processes. Simplify everything. Be ridiculously helpful.
TAKE INTELLIGENT RISKS. Innovation, improvement, and success don’t come from playing it safe. They come from a thoughtful and intentional willingness to try the unconventional and to ask “What if?” Try a new way. Think differently.
WORK ON YOURSELF. Be a lifelong learner. Seek out and take advantage of every opportunity to gain more knowledge, to increase your skills, and to become a greater expert. Be resourceful about learning and sharing best practices.
LEAD BY EXAMPLE. The best way to influence others is through your own example. Walk the talk. Take responsibility, both formally and informally, to coach, guide, teach, and mentor others. Be the change you want to see.
KEEP THINGS FUN. While our passion for excellence is real, remember that the world has bigger problems than the daily challenges that make up our work. Stuff happens. Keep perspective. Don’t take things personally or take yourself too seriously. Enjoy your work. Laugh every day.