Commitment Beyond GIC Still Loyal After All These Years by Lorraine Grubbs & Melissa Smith
Loyalty…it’s the defining competitive advantage for any business. It’s created when a company puts their people first. Loyalty produces many benefits like less absenteeism, higher productivity, better customer service and a happier workplace. Does that commitment stay with the employee even after they leave? The individuals interviewed are great examples of why GIC’s family atmosphere continues to influence.
Cristina Medico, Former Director of Employment
“You don’t know you can do something until somebody puts it in front of you; then, when you rise to the challenge and do it, you are proud.”
The eight years I spent with General Insulation were one of the best experiences of my life. I was hired in a sales position and was eventually promoted to Director of Human Resources. Frank Granara was a great mentor. He saw my potential, and in my third year of employment put together a unique program which allowed me to move to Memphis for a year to learn the HR business as an intern for another company. I then returned to Medford equipped to start GIC’s HR Department. His belief in me allowed me to build my self-confidence, skills and knowledge and I was determined not to let him down. As the Director of HR it was easy for me to sell the company to potential new hires because I wholeheartedly believed (and still do) in General Insulation as a great place to work.
I experienced and saw the power of the personal birthday cards Frank sends out to each employee. I was touched by not only his, but the GIC Managers’ concern and support when others were going through tough times. A phone call about a new baby or a sick parent was a frequent occurrence and employees really appreciate that personal interest.
As a General Insulation employee here are four things I believe make GIC successful:
- Frank knows his people and, like a great chess player, strategically moves them into positions where they can be most successful, even if it takes several moves.
- I always felt I could speak my mind, even if my viewpoint differed from Frank’s. We would have some healthy but respectful debates.
- The training and education General gives employees is an investment Frank
makes because he knows that it will keep the company cutting edge and give people an opportunity to grow. I was fortunate enough to undergo the first leadership training journey with the VP’s. This unique journey was so powerful it later became a book, “Beyond the Executive Comfort Zone”. - You are NEVER BORED at General. While the workload is heavy, it’s rarely unmanageable and resources are available to help. I can personally say that General stretches you out of your comfort zone and you are better for it.
My decision to leave after 8 years was the hardest decision I’ve ever made. General was my family and I felt I was letting Frank down. I struggled with the decision but in the end realized that I wanted to raise a family, and my values dictate that whatever I do, I must do it at 100%. So, for me, being a working mom was not an option.
Frank, understanding that difficulty, eased my transition by allowing me to train my replacement, Tori from home. After a year, knowing Tori was functioning well, I officially left GIC to raise my family. I use the lessons I learned at General with my family today.
- I believe in my children and want only the best for them.
- I apply my business knowledge to running the household – budget, time management, etc.
- I continue my learning through reading and networking, keeping my “mom brain” fresh.
I hope one day to return. I consider Frank a friend and GIC a family. I believe that GIC is a leader in the industry and will continue to be because of how they invest in their employees and customers. I was proud to work there, and if lucky, one day would consider it a privilege to return.
Tom Fink, General Manager Charlotte, NC
“Never burn a bridge – you never know when you might need to come back across”
I was hired by GIC in 1999 in the IT department. At the time our headquarters was in the Old Church in Medford. My responsibility was to make sure our 10 branches were trained in and connected to the ECLIPSE system. Throughout the next few years I was part of the rapid growth. When Branch 22 opened up, I approached Frank about my next move within the company. I asked if the company had any plans to open in the Carolinas, where my wife and I had family. At the time, Frank told me there were no plans, but he did offer me the opportunity to be the Branch Manager of the newly opened branch in Erie, PA. I accepted his offer. Eventually GIC opened Pittsburgh and I found myself travelling extensively (two hours each way) between the two branches.
The Three years of travel eventually took its toll and I was ready to spend time with my family. With that goal in mind, in 2004 I made a tough decision to leave GIC and move to Charlotte, North Carolina where my brother and I opened a custom home building business. For the first 3 years, it went well. Then the building bubble burst and we eventually had to shut down the business in 2009. To keep food on the table, I was working multiple side jobs and eventually landed a job as a Purchasing Manager for Insulating Services Inc., in Charlotte.
During this time I stayed in touch with Ed Pella, Branch Manager in Atlanta and we even did a little business together. Ten years after leaving GIC I got a call from Ed asking if I would be willing to return to GIC as they were thinking of expanding into the Carolinas. I immediately responded, “YES!” I had missed many things about GIC and I couldn’t believe I was getting the chance to come back.
When I left GIC to go into the “real world” I missed the camaraderie among my coworkers and the comfort of being part of a family that supported you through good times and bad.
I also missed the learning opportunities. GIC believes in developing employees. I personally had the opportunity to represent the company in “Big Picture Thinking” by attending a learning session at NASA. We spent two days learning about how NASA took the idea of going to the moon, and now possibly going to Mars, and broke it down in pieces to make it happen. Our “Nasanaut” team (there were 8 of us) came back to share our learning with the other managers during the next Manager meeting in Gettysburg, PA. These learning experiences are unique and I thank Frank for the opportunity to have experienced them. They have definitely helped me in my job as I resist staying in the weeds and keep the bigger picture in mind. These experiences make me always want to do better for GIC.
I was excited to jump back in and help open up GIC’s first Charlotte location from the ground up…finding a warehouse, hiring the personnel, etc. Each year the Charlotte branch has set a goal to double our business, and we have reached that goal for the first 3 years. My VP Ed Pella has been great support to me. And, just when I was getting comfortable with his leadership, my region has been reassigned to a new team. I will miss Ed, but have no problem working with my new leadership because experience at GIC has proven to me that I can pick up the phone anytime and access multiple resources. Everyone is willing to help.
Advice I’d give to others? The grass isn’t always greener on the other side. I am so happy and feel so fortunate that I got to come back “home”. My dream of being in North Carolina with a great company like GIC came to fruition. I want to retire with GIC.
This article is part of a series of “Culture of Commitment” for General Insulation. General Insulation has an amazing culture with committed employees and customers. For more articles in the series go to:
Lorraine Grubbs is an author, speaker and business consultant who helps companies create engaged and happy workplaces. Learn more about her at:
www.lorrainegrubbs.com
