Issue link: http://palletcentral.uberflip.com/i/1508599
18 PalletCentral • September-October 2023 palletcentral.com Company Culture To create a positive company culture, one lesson they learned the hard way is that a toxic employee takes up more energy than realized, and the work they do usually isn't up to par. It also can taint a company's culture. "With our daughter's fresh perspective, she made us realize that there are some things we just should not accept. We don't feel desperate now to hang on to problem employees." "We treat people how we would want to be treated. I was very fortunate to have employers that were great role models. It was not overnight, but over time I have gained respect from our team, because I genuinely care," she says, but warns there is a risk of over-caring. "I was the nice boss, so everybody came to me for everything. I had to set boundaries and limitations on the help offered." In the early days, employees needed help with basics, like how to cash a check, get a bank account, and even help with situations where their language was a barrier. Now, they focus on quality-driven hiring standards which has brought more talent to the table. Raising expectations overall has increased the ability to fill positions through promotions. ey celebrate the employees' milestones. "Recently, we celebrated two birthdays of two brothers. One had been with us for 27 years and the other for 23. It was really kind of a neat to see the reactions of other employees, thinking, 'wow, that's like a really long time.'" In tough times, these small measures can build loyalty if the business hits a rough patch. A small business also has the luxury of focusing on customized recognition. "Last year, we awarded our plant manager with a bonus. We knew he loved miniature animals, and I knew of one he wanted. I offered him a choice: a full monetary award, or the miniature donkey he wanted with a small monetary award. He chose the miniature animal. It's the silliest thing, but we bought it for him. Now, the donkey has become our little mascot. It was a unique way to say, 'you are important to us.'" Learning Through Hard Knocks Vasquez highlights contract agreements, equipment purchases and safety measures as three areas to watch in a business, where they made missteps. "In decision-making, make sure you understand the agreement, and everything is clear and in writing," stresses Vasquez. "In one situation, we did not fully understand a contract, and it cost us a significant amount over our estimation. is misstep could have paid for a piece of equipment. Speaking of equipment, understand exactly what you need and what something does. Early on, we invested in a production machine and discovered one person could produce faster than it could." "We also learned to pay attention to safety," she says. "We struggled with workers comp claims and realized others are watching. en, the claims come in. I think business decisions like these are super important, be sure to analyze everything." Giving Back Giving back to the industry is important to the Vasquez family. Beatrice has been on the executive committee of WPA, rising to President. She has also chaired the WPA Resource Committee. She is currently a member of the NWPCA Board of Directors and the Hispanic Council. "Elias and I are one of the few that belong to three associations, representing and showing leadership. As a Hispanic business and as a woman in leadership, I can shed light on the value of a diverse workforce." Recently, Oxnard Pallet Company hosted Congresswoman Julia Brownley at their facility. First meeting her in 2012 as a district representative, they were a chosen business to represent her region at a lunch in the state capitol. ey recently invited her to their 30th anniversary celebration, where she sent a staff member. ey also met with her staff during NWPCA's fly-in to Washington, D.C. "Because of our persistence, she finally paid us a visit, coordinated by NWPCA's Jason Ortega, Vice President of Government Affairs," says Vasquez. "In our financial climate, legislators need to know the impact of their decisions on small business. It was really, really a neat moment with her." Elias and Beatrice Vasquez.