The underlying values of an individual are the most important factor to consider when looking for a great employee. Values drive behaviors, and the consistency of productive behaviors is the cornerstone of success. Bill Belichick calls this type of person his “dependables,” or “[The] person who you have the most confidence in, the most consistent.” Why is this important? Because a consistent approach to how you work will produce consistent results regardless of circumstances.
Consistency Amidst Change
Wendi Kafer is one of the recipients of our Be Adventurous, Embrace & Drive Change Core Value Award. Her Clickstop journey began as a production worker within Manufacturing, and since that time, she has had the chance to lead people and lead change. Most recently, her passion for quality has led her down the course of greater study on the matter, resulting in a role that has increased the consistency of performance for the Manufacturing Department.
A key part of the Clickstop Strategy is our Entrepreneurial Mindset. This mindset creates an adaptability to change through the enthusiasm and curiosity that it brings. Through embracing recent changes to her role, the manufacturing experience has been made more vibrant. One of her peers has stated, “No one does her job quite like her. She has passion and she has the drive to make manufacturing the best it can be. Since her return to manufacturing, she has made a huge impact with training manufacturing in all roles of operation. She has refined documents and created new ones to complete this process. Not anyone would have the passion like Wendi does. She takes great pride and ownership when it comes to all processes in manufacturing. Along with that, she makes it fun and she is always laughing and being positive.”
We couldn’t agree more. Well done, Wendi!
The Interview
What is your role at Clickstop?
Quality/Safety/Sewer and Lead Trainer in Manufacturing. I do a little of it all.
How long have you worked here?
5 Years
What is your Clickstop story? If it were a book, what would the title be and why?
After the birth of my son we decided to move out of Waterloo and into a smaller town. Driving to and from Waterloo every day to my current job got expensive so I ventured out and started looking for jobs closer to home. I applied at a couple of places and had a few interviews. Clickstop seemed to be the best fit for me at the time, not to mention it was only a 6 min drive from our home. I started with no experience in manufacturing as a sewer. I became an expert in the products we manufactured and expanded my knowledge in NetSuite and took on the role of creating custom numbers and later managed the sewing line. My passion for Quality steamed from there and I pushed to have more Quality in manufacturing because at the time we didn’t have much quality starting out as a newer company. I later found myself on the Quality and Safety team, and worked on the team for a year until I was was asked to be the master trainer for manufacturing along with instilling my quality knowledge within the department. I love all the roles I have been given here and can’t wait for the next one because I do like to expand my knowledge and keep moving. So, I guess the name of my book would be “Onto the Next Adventure”
What advice would you give to others who want to embrace this core value?
The only way to believe in the impossible is to achieve the impossible and remember “It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change.” —Charles Darwin
What are you most excited for or proud of on your team?
Watching my team grow and embrace the changes in the last five years
What was the best compliment you’ve ever received at work?
Receiving this reward!!
What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far?
If an opportunity that is given to you does not work out. DON’T GIVE UP. With a great attitude and confidence, you never know what better opportunities await you
What can we find you doing when you’re not at work?
Taking my son Nathan to sports events and friend’s houses
Working at the Hair Salon in Brandon
Chasing around our 8-month-old Husky Blu- He eats everything under the Sun and is full of energy
Traveling
Helping my sister at her restore
Last movie or book you watched/read?
Movie- The Grinch
Book- Thinking Big
Dogs or Cats?
Dogs
What brought you to Clickstop and why is it such a good fit for you?
I was looking for work closer to home and a job I could grow in within the company. So I applied at Clickstop. After my interview and learning about their core values and how family comes first and all of the opportunities I could have in the company I knew this would be a good fit for me. It has given me more of a balance with my work/home life. Giving me the opportunity to be more involved in my son’s sporting events and still being able to keep my career as a cosmetologist. And not to mention the people I work with are exceptional to work with
When do you feel truly “alive” at work?
When I am doing what I love and helping others be their best by passing on my knowledge