Need Collaboration for Improved Culture to Show Results – Part 2

We are making progress…
I have been working to improve team collaboration, by showing teams how to collaborate.

When a project is successfully completed, I meet with the team that worked on the project.

Here are some questions that I ask the team:

  1. Did you have more than one option to solve the issue?
  2. Did you have to weigh options, to determine how to proceed?
  3. Did you have to go back because you needed one more associate’s input to complete or revise the option?

We then discuss a better way to collaborate by:

  1. Identifying associates who need to be involved to solve the issue
  2. Holding preliminary meetings to discuss the project and required output
  3. Discussing options
  4. Selecting the best solution with a potential second option if required
  5. Holding periodic meetings until the project is completed

I also have been discussing the automation of processes, and learnt that many associates are capable of working on solutions. We have a very talented group of associates but have not gotten far, yet.

At the forefront of my list to improve/automate, is the ability to speedily create new prototypes. I often thought that there must be a better way to quickly create new prototypes based on similar product designs. Designs are usually done in SolidWorks.

I challenged one of the associates to see if he could find a better way – and he did, resulting in very fast new product designs. During a meeting of the minds, everyone was impressed by the new design solution. Associates are now starting to constructively challenge each other so they can come up with the best possible solution – with everyone’s buy in.

Instances such as these lead me to believe that we are making progress.

Agora Team Member Story

For the past few years, we have asked AGORA employees to internally share their stories, values, and what they like about AGORA. Here is an interesting story from one of our team member.

Diego has been with AGORA Edge for 10 years and 7 months. He is originally from Colombia and graduated from the University of South Florida in Tampa, FL, with a B.S.M.E. degree in Mechanical Engineering.

 
What inspired your interest in fire and safety?

Since I was a kid, I always had a deep admiration for firefighters. This admiration began when, as a child, I was saved from drowning in a pool. Since that moment, I have wondered how I could pay that forward and save someone’s life. Fast-forward to now, and I am glad to have the opportunity to work in an industry that does this every day. We Design and Manufacture solutions to help firefighters save lives without risking their own. So, I feel that, indirectly, I am accomplishing my goal.

 
Can you describe your career path and how you ended up working in the Fire and Safety department at AGORA?

I started at AGORA as a production manager assistant. Four months later, Subash approached me and asked if I wanted to manage a customer. He knew I had some experience handling customers, but not in our Fire and Safety department. I didn’t hesitate to take on the challenge, as I knew Subash would work with me and train me to meet the customer’s expectations. Since then, I have become the account manager for our Fire and Safety industry.

 
How does your current role align with your passion for firefighting?

It gives me the opportunity to contribute to saving lives.

 
What are some of the most significant achievements or projects you have been involved in at AGORA?

I was part of the team that designed one of the most popular firefighters SCBAs in the market.

 
Is there a particular project or accomplishment of which you are most proud?

I assisted in manufacturing a vest that would protects first responders from radiation.