Global Trade Base Trends
September 1, 2009 - Global Trade Base president thanks employees
E.J. Spidell, President of Global Trade Base has implemented many improvements within the company. These improvements are being seen by our clients, domestic food producers as well as our buyers both internationally and domestically. Many calls and emails have been received commenting on the improvements.“There are many compliments coming my way about the things that we have made better. But, I am just one person. There is no way that all of these improvements could have been done by myself. The improvements that we have made are a direct result of the hard work and commitment of every Global Trade Base employee.
We have made a very long list of things that Global Trade Base is going to do to improve the quality of our service, work environment and product representation here and abroad. Each employee and our clients have had input into what needs to be improved and we are focusing on these items. I am proud to see how each individual employee has become part of something much larger than themselves.
All employers know the difficulty in finding and retaining quality people. The attitudes of entitlement without effort and instant gratification have become commonplace in our country. The familiar business skill sets of communication, follow-through, and attention to detail that should be common have become a rarity. Combine that with the unique industry skill sets and that can make finding a qualified person exponentially more difficult. Fortunately, the Global Trade Base team is made up of business professionals who have the skills, ability and attitude to create success.
In retrospect our journey has been arduous and filled with many challenges and obstacles. We have always found pride in enduring and overcoming these potential setbacks and turned them into success. We look at each person as to their potential and help them to achieve no matter what challenges have occurred in their life. At Global Trade Base, we know that even negative life experiences build character.
Ironically, some of our greatest recent improvements were not identified by current employees but by previous staff members who assisted in identifying the areas requiring the most attention. Every legitimate negative comment, accusation, or exposures regarding business practices and success ratios have been thoroughly analyzed. I am reminded of the words from Sun Tzu in ‘The Art of War.’ An opponent is the greatest teacher; the opponent shows where we are weak; the opponent shows where we are vulnerable; the opponent teaches us where to become strong. Thank you for mentoring us in the areas that need the most improvement.
A plan has been developed to improve every area of concern. A backup plan has also been created for each of these areas as an alternate to ensure we meet those improvements head on. It is with great appreciation that we have been given this opportunity to make Global Trade Base better. To every previous Global Trade Base alumni, thank you for your previous and even recent contributions regarding the areas we can improve. Your concerns, both past and present, allow us to continue adding to the list of projects that are making us stronger as a company.
But, being aware of an area to improve is not enough. Making a list and checking it twice does nothing unless there is commitment at every level in the company to achieve results. It is because of the extra effort from our current Global Trade Base team that we have become better. I am so very proud to see employees at all levels in our company taking on projects where they can to make us better. Their extra effort, long hours and pride in accomplishment are like none seen in this company before. Activity begets activity, momentum begets momentum. I see the activity and momentum in all staff members. As a business leader, this motivates me greatly. I truly appreciate every staff member at Global Trade Base.
As a result, every employee now is awarded shares of stock and we have begun paying out profit sharing and bonuses letting them know how valuable they are to Global Trade Base. We are even selling more business than ever domestically and internationally thanks to each and every Global Trade Base team member.
To my staff, you have made me proud. Individually each of us can only accomplish so much. Yet, you have proven that together we will accomplish everything we put our mind to. We are still not finished and there is a long road of improvements ahead that will require much. We must go forward with a combination of empathy with our client’s needs; compassion for those who seek to impede progress; fortitude of spirit to persist through every obstacle; ‘esprit de corp’ to fuel our motivation as a team; humility to see our mistakes and areas of improvement; and lastly, the endurance to achieve no matter what the outlay of effort will be.
I cannot let you know deeply enough how much I am humbled and appreciative of all that you do. I am so very proud of each of you at Global Trade Base and will always look to these days as a highlight in my life. E.J. Spidell, President, Global Trade Base