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Home is Where the Heart (and Work) Is! By Chris Tidwell | CEO, Magformers LLC Chris Tidwell, CEO of Magformers, offers a look at how a toy company makes the transition to working from home.
2020 is certainly the most unusual and unexpected year I have faced. At the start of the year, our top issues seemed to be: a potential toy tariff; presentations to retailers focused against new product launches, as we hoped to gain additional shelf space; and which key items we would market. All this changed as the global pandemic took hold of our nation. In just 270 days there was no longer a normal process. Our Magformers office, based in Canton, Michigan saw required changes take effect in March. Our governor initiated a Stay-at-Home order. This meant that only workers deemed “essential� by the state, could go into their places of employment. As the CEO and shareholder of Magformers LLC, my duty remains to ensure that our staff is focused towards achieving company goals and objectives and making profitable sales. Despite COVID-19, we still have to
Taking a temperature check before an in-person meeting
move forward with our work in this new business world. So when the Stay-at-Home order took effect, we had to reimagine our work environment, but without changing the objectives or expected results towards company goals. These remained constant. Since staff could not be in the office, we had to make immediate plans for at-home working. Picking up computers, printers, binders, and tools were the initial steps towards our needed adjustments. Each department proceeded with these changes. The finance
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