Business

CEO Daily Update – 10.9.2020

October 9, 2020 by Jason Gazaway

Who Am I? Part 3 | Self-discovery Tools | Gloves & Hand Sanitizer | Aim for the Terminator | News to Start Your Day

Who Am I? – Part 3 (A personal and CK Story)

[This is Part 3 of a personal/CK history story. This post can be read on its own. If you’d like full context, feel free to read Part 1 and Part 2 first.]

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It is Friday, friends! I’m keeping things a little lighter (but not shorter, haha) today.

After my experience with a deepening faith and letting go of the need to prove myself over and over, I really wanted to understand who I was at my core. What was I made to do? Is a person made to do just one thing?

I believe there are many ways to take the journey of self discovery, and I see value in employing tools to help along the way. In business and in personal relationships, using the same language to discuss differences and strengths creates alignment. It is one of the reasons tools like Enneagram are so popular. Do you know your Enneagram number? (I am a 5w6, “the Investigator”.)

A few years into running CK, we began using several different personality tests to help us determine if a candidate is a good fit for a position. We also have done some fun internal team building exercises. I enjoy getting to know more about everyone in that way. I like it when things are organized by like type, even people, ha.

One of the things I discovered in my testing is WHY I am passionate about helping others understand themselves and find a place to flourish in work and in life. It is one of the things I missed most about work life: interviewing, hiring and building teams that work well together.

Does your business use any tools for hiring and team building? Have you found them helpful or not useful at all?

The three main tools that we use at CK are: the DiSC, PIAV assessment, and the CliftonStrengths Assessment.

If you’ve been around “personality testing” at all in your job or otherwise, you’ve probably heard of the DiSC profile. It gives you letters, D (dominance), I (influence), S (steadiness), C (conscientiousness), associated with behaviors that together describe how you likely react to situations. Useful for team building for sure.

The PIAV – Personal Interests, Attitudes and Values assessment – gives you insight into the why behind your behaviors. What is motivating you to behave or react the way that you do?

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CEO Daily Update – 10.6.2020

October 6, 2020 by Jason Gazaway

Free Shipping + Free Stuff | Aironet Products | PPE Bundles | Repetition is the Gold Standard

Happy Tuesday!

Welcome to the CablesAndKits CEO daily email. Read more about this email by scrolling to the very bottom.

FREE SHIPPING
I wanted to draw your attention to the free shipping coupon we shared yesterday for safety supplies/PPE. Now that the market has caught up to demand on most of these items, we’re working to get focused on our core products once again. Many of our most popular safety products are now being offered at or below cost! Use code PPESHIP for free standard/UPS Ground shipping on safety supply orders. Rebecca has more info about other discounts in her update below.

Hey, do you know any businesses, schools, or purchasing agents for government agencies who may still need larger quantities of masks, disinfecting wipes, gloves, or dispenser stands? We would love for you to connect us. I’m happy to discuss a referral fee for larger orders, let’s say orders >$1k. Throughout spring and summer we were selling wipes in canisters and packs by the pallets or case to businesses who needed them. We’d love to connect with those who still have a need.

FREE STUFF
When we helped our friends clean out their house recently, we figured out that traditional garage sale methods have largely been replaced or are heavily supplemented by online marketplaces, specifically Facebook marketplace. We sold many of the larger items for our friends that way. (That’s your tip of the day, story style.)

Now that Craig is on sabbatical, he’s been working on some projects around the house, including organizing and cleaning out our barn. Earlier today he told me he posted a heavy, non-working item for free. You know, “come get it and fix it or scrap it, whatever you want to do with it” type post. I am always amazed at the questions you get about items on FB marketplace (“will this fit in my Jeep Cherokee?” “do you have the manual for the 1972 manual can opener you just listed?” “do all the light bulbs in the $20 light fixture work?”), and apparently even when an item is free, people still have questions. Someone wanted to know how old is this item? Certainly there are valid reasons for this question, but by this point Craig had over 20 people who had messaged and wanted to come get it. No more effort required to get it gone. His response: “How old is it? It is free years old.“

I thought you all who enjoy Craig’s humor may enjoy the laugh. I cracked up. Several of our friends saw the response and cracked up as well. A “negative Nancy” made sure to point out how rude he was. Supply and demand, it even applies to items that are free of charge.

Christin

Today’s Product Updates from Rebecca (our Product Manager):

Today’s spotlight is all about the AIR-CAP3702I-A-K9 Cisco Aironet 3700 Series Access Point! This ready-to-install, easy-to-manage access point offers high capacity, high security, enterprise-class features to deliver wireless LAN access with a low total cost of ownership. Designed for coverage in offices and similar RF environments, this unobtrusive access point features integrated antennas and dual IEEE 802.11a/g/n/ac radios for comprehensive and predictable coverage, providing a combined capacity of 450 Mbps!

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CEO Daily Update – 9.30.2020

September 30, 2020 by Jason Gazaway

Christin’s Intro | Cisco Catalyst 3750G Series Switch | Disinfectant Sprays | Rivers & Swamps | News to Start Your Day

Happy Wednesday!

Welcome to the CablesAndKits CEO daily email. Read more about this email by scrolling to the very bottom.

When the idea of a sabbatical came up for Craig, I mentioned to him that I’d be willing to be “the voice” of his CEO Daily for the time he would be off. A day or two ago, I threw together some ideas for points-of-view to Jason, our E-commerce Manager (you met him yesterday), and next thing I know, I’m being introduced to you guys. So, here I am, saying hello and hoping to get to know you all over the next few weeks.

I’m Christin, Craig’s wife and the co-founder of CK. We’ve been married for 16 years, together for 21 years and have worked together in various capacities for 19 years. (How all of that math works is a story for another day.) When we started in this business, I was 19 years old. I was a junior at the University of Georgia, pursuing a degree in chemistry, and I left to go “all in” on this life we’ve built.

As with the choices each of us have made about our family and careers, there were no guarantees about where we would end up. Between here and there are lots of stories and lessons learned. I hope to share some of those (and more) with you over the next few weeks.

So.. hi, new friends! If you’re inclined to help us improve this email, I would love to know what you enjoy most about the things we share. What “inside information” about CK or information about our products would you like for me or others to share?

Christin

Today’s Product Updates from Rebecca (our “Rock Star” Product manager):

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CEO Daily Update – 9.23.2020

September 23, 2020 by Craig Haynie

Knee Shots | Chocolate Milk | PPE Sale | Inspiration vs Motivation, pt 1

Happy Wednesday!

Welcome to the CablesAndKits CEO daily email. Read more about this email by scrolling to the very bottom.

My knee – Haiyaa. It’s worse, but I went to the ortho doc today. Fortunately they were able to fit me in. When the doctors are too busy they try to fit you in with the physician’s assistant. He was busy too so they got me in with the janitor. No real training but he’s overheard a few conversations that seemed useful.

They ordered an MRI because my pain level (an 11 on a scale of 1-10 when I try to bend it) was not normal based on his exam. They also gave me a steroid shot. Let me tell you something …. He walked in the room and said “are you ready for this?” Well, I WAS BEFORE YOU SAID THAT. Shots don’t bother me but when you’re asked if you’re ready it perks you up a little. He sprayed the area with a numbing spray and in the needle went. You know it’s going in there for sure. Then, oh boy …. then, in comes the injection of 37 gallons of liquid into a space the size of a pecan. GOOD LORD!! “Do I get a sucker??” I said gasping and wincing.

Speaking of needing a sucker, if you haven’t had a COVID test yet take a sucker with you if you go, you’ll want it when it’s over and unless they took my advice they don’t give them out. Since I sorta screamed it while honking the horn I doubt they took it to heart.

Something else noteworthy was the fact that the entire time I was going into the doctor’s office, getting X-rays, and getting examined (all but a small part) I had my Bluetooth headset in and was listening to, and sometimes participating in our weekly management meeting. WHAT A WORLD we live in that we have the technology to make this possible. Also, since our whole team works from home it’s not odd to be dialed in like that if necessary. Back when we met in person at the office having one person dial in would be strange. This new way of working certainly has some benefits.

I don’t know if it’s true, but I heard …

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CEO Daily Update – 9.10.2020

September 10, 2020 by Craig Haynie

Back to School Bundles | In the Movies | Microsoft Teams

Happy Thursday!

Welcome to the CablesAndKits CEO daily email. Read more about this email by scrolling to the very bottom.

What a strange day yesterday. It turns out the car I bought with the motorhome had a salvage / rebuilt title. The seller didn’t tell me that, and later said he didn’t know. I could swear I ran a carfax on the car. I absolutely ran one on the motorhome. Anyway, whatever, I got a good enough deal that it doesn’t really matter. When I went to transfer the title and get a tag that’s when it came up and they won’t do it unless you have it inspected. So, this morning was inspection day. You’re to show up at a particular body shop at 8am and get a number. They take you one at a time and do the inspection. Never having done this before I had no idea what to expect. When I got there, there was hardly anywhere to park. When I got my number I was number 18.

My expectation was to be in and out of there in an hour. Wrong. I was there till 2pm and most of that was sitting or standing outside a fence waiting my turn to be let in. It’s a darn good thing we work remote and I had my laptop and can tether to my cell for WiFi. I was able to do all my work as usual, just from a different place.

I still haven’t determined what was supposedly wrong with the car for it to have a salvage title but they found nothing wrong in the inspection and no sign of previous damage. I’ll try to see if someone can tell me but who knows. I have the paperwork I need to get my title and tag and that’s all that matters at this point.

Act 2: Our house is on a small lake with great views and when we moved in I decided to list it on a site for movie / film locations. Basically, if someone were filming a movie or show and needed a lake view in a private setting they might find and want to rent my house for a few days or weeks. It might be cool and you make a little money doing it.

Well today I got an inquiry but not for the house – but for the driveway. They want to shoot a music video and there is a scene with a wrecked car and someone being rescued. How cool. I met the director at my house in the evening and then took him to some acreage we still own that’s for sale. On that property there is a driveway even longer than what’s at my house that is perfect for what he wants to do. They want to shoot next week! I’ll keep you updated!

I don’t know if it’s true, but I heard …

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CEO Daily Update – 8.27.2020

August 27, 2020 by Craig Haynie

IKEA | Modeling Business for Others | Price Drops on Thermometers and Gowns

Happy Thursday!

Welcome to the CablesAndKits CEO daily email. Read more about this email by scrolling to the very bottom.

I don’t know if it’s true, but I heard …

IKEA is an acronym which stands for Ingvar Kamprad Elmtaryd Agunnaryd, which is the founder’s name, farm where he grew up, and hometown.

Today I met with a former CK team member for lunch. He left over a year ago and went out on his own to focus on sourcing products overseas to save his clients money and reduce overall time and aggravation. We do this too, but he wanted to focus 100% of his effort on it as well as radically change his lifestyle which included selling his house and moving a few hours away to be near family.

We met because we are still great friends that don’t get to see each other very often. He was in town on business and we were able to connect which is always a great time and today was no exception. One of my favorite people!

In addition, we are working on a project together and were able to discuss it a little. He has a client that he’s manufacturing several thousand sneeze guards for that will go into retail locations. He’s not setup for logistics, nor does he want to be, so he asked if we could handle that aspect. I gladly accepted because we have a great team and great operation that handles warehousing, logistics, and pick/pack/ship every day. We’ll receive several containers full of product, then stage and process over 100 pallets to over 60 locations nationwide. Fun!

When I left our lunch appointment today I was thinking about how not only have we remained great friends but how he also trusts me/us to handle such a critical aspect of this deal for him. And this is a guy that worked for me for 10 years and knows where all the bodies are buried! Haha.

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