placing a curved label around a bottle neck

When people ask, “What type of production service does KANDU offer?”,  instead of reciting a laundry list of possible processes (packaging, assembly, kitting, etc), we  tell a broader-view of those problems that we solve for our customers. It helps our potential customers consider their current processes from their own point of view.  They  don’t have to get distracted by wondering what specific processes we can perform. Instead, they can review what processes their own employees do that prevent them from being more focused and efficient regarding core competencies.

We will feature a few of the more common situations that bring companies to work with us over the next few posts.

Are you looking to fill an unusual customer request especially those that don’t fit your current automation capabilities? For example, company A is making widgets. They do it well and they sell many of them. Then a customer orders 100,000 widgets and asks Company A to package them with another product. This other product doesn’t fit their automation configuration. Company A decides that instead of buying an expensive machine or incurring overtime, they call us. We can do it.

It is a common saying around here that if you are having a bad day, go walk out on the production floor and spend some time with the client workers. It doesn’t matter if they’ve seen you 10 days before or 10 minutes before, you’ll very likely be greeted by kind hand waving, by name and with lots of enthusiasm. You’ll hear everything from “Hi!” to “You look nice today” to more personal, “I’m going to see my niece tonight!” Their generous sharing of info and greetings often improves the feel of the day. My co-worker Jennie once said, “Wow! A person can feel like a rock star just walking through a room!” It made me wonder how often I make others feel like a rock star. Here’s hoping you feel like one this week. If not, stop by!

A few months ago, one of the day services clients here at KANDU was having a bad start to her day. She was confused and then a little embarrassed due to her momentary yet quite noticeable memory lapse. Of course the staff here guided her back on track with compassion and humor to get past the moment,  (the client,  Maureen*,  has a famously easy laugh around here.) 

A few hours later, she was walking the halls for therapy with a staff member, Julie, working on a sound way to walk with her walker.  I couldn’t help but over hear their conversation. Julie encouraged her to place the walker then think “step, step” with each foot since Maureen has developed a habit of dragging the second foot a bit. Maureen courageously announced the process out loud. “Walker. Step. Step. Walker. Step Step.”  She would periodically ask, “How did I do that time?” And Julie would praise her progress or give feedback for improvement.  

As they proceeded down the 50 foot hall. I heard Maureen say, “This is just what I need. A goal! That’s what’s been missing!” I almost started weeping at the pure joy in her voice. At the beginning of the year, we each often set goals for our 2010. I feel a new sense of energy myself as I track my progress and stay focused.  Whether you feel the need to set a goal for work, for your health, or for your personal life, I hope you feel the joy that comes from challenging yourself to improve, just like Maureen.

*not her real name

Welcome to the new KANDU Blog, the place for inside information, news, events, and other interesting stuff about everything KANDU! We are hoping this will become a great addition to the way we interact with our community and provide you with a view into what really goes on here.  This is just starting up, so please be patient as it will take time for the posts to start rolling in. If you have an idea about somthing you want to see here, let us know.