Have you ever noticed on Martin’s business cards and Core Values posters that only one core value, Entrepreneurial Spirit, is highlighted in red? While our other core values, Integrity, Continuous Improvement, Good Citizenship and Customer Focused are easier to define, Entrepreneurial Spirit is one we consider unique to Martin. By printing it in red, it catches the eye and presents an opportunity to explain what it means to our Customers and new Martin Team members.
“We chose Entrepreneurial Spirit as a core value because we want the Martin team to embody the same spirit we hold as owners and entrepreneurs of the Company,” said Doug Ruggles. “Entrepreneurial Spirit enables you to approach your role as if Martin were your business and you controlled the risks. It empowers you to make decisions, take risks, lead, be resourceful and act-on-the-fly if needed. Customer’s get the solutions they need faster because you can make it happen without having to run it up a chain of command for every solution. Entrepreneurial Spirit puts the Customer at the core of our business, helps our Team grow professionally and helps our Company thrive.”
We asked a few Martin Team members to share what Entrepreneurial Spirit means to them:
Glenn Johnson, Director of Solution Design
Eliminating the red tape so we can help our Customers with solutions faster.
Vivian McSwain, Safety Specialist
I believe to succeed as a company, we must all possess the Entrepreneurial Spirit in some aspect. What is the Entrepreneurial Spirit? It is doing what it takes to make progress for Martin, even if that is outside your normal routine. It is thinking outside the box to ensure that we communicate and demonstrate the value and advantages of a partnership with Martin. It is sharing our successes and our losses to use them as teachable moments. It is being thankful when we receive constructive criticism knowing personal growth is the goal. It is caring for and investing in each other, our vendors, and our customers. The foundation of the Entrepreneurial Spirit to me is trust. Trust in leadership, trust in teammates, and trust in yourself.
Rickey McRae, Account Manager (Atlanta) and 2018 Entrepreneurial Spirit Award Winner
Being able to think, work outside the box and have the support of upper management. It puts us above our competition.
Kelso Sims, General Manager, Fastening
The mindset of fast, fluid change to adapt to evolving conditions outside the company and creating change within to promote excellence in service, systems and products.
Brent Scott, Regional Sales Manager (Sheffield, Decatur, Nashville)
Treating every action and every decision as though Martin, Inc. were my family business.
Tanya Campbell, Account Manager (Sheffield)
I define Entrepreneurial Spirit as CARING. That means not only about our customers, but our coworkers and about the job we do. Being able to go home at the end of the day, proud of the work you have done for that day.
Danny McPeters, Regional Sales Manager (Atlanta/Greenville)
Having the support from leadership to pursue opportunities outside the box.
To think on: How do you exercise Entrepreneurial Spirit in your role at Martin?