Lowdown

A Powerful Pat on the Back

By Randall Resch

Operations Editor Randall C. Resch is a retired California police officer and veteran tow business owner, manager, consultant and trainer. He writes for TowIndustryWeek. com and American Towman, is a member of the International Towing & Recovery Hall of Fame and recipient of the Dave Jones Leadership Award. Email Randy at rreschran@gmail.com. Recognizing an exceptional employee means acknowledging them company wide or in front of their peers for their accomplishments, actions they’ve taken, or their work attitude that’s demonstrated through behavior. In doing so, an open-line of, “Boss to employee, employee to Boss”, communication is vital.

Declaring what makes an exceptional employee mustn’t be confused with them simply showing-up to work and being friendly, but that employee who goes out of their way daily to provide a quality work product, striving for excellence while being that role-model worker. Accordingly, another qualifying question asks, regardless as to what position they work, what does the exceptional employee bring to the workplace that others don’t?

I’m not speaking of the bosses’ favorite or the company’s “butt-kisser”, it’s that individual who out-performs and out-works all others. In the categories noted below, an exceptional employee demonstrates standards that go far beyond daily requirements. Not in any specific order, consider these values expected of all employees, but, the exceptional employee always: • Arrives early/stays late until workload is completed • Dresses neatly or in-uniform of the day • Keeps a cleans work environment • Prepared and well-equipped • Produces a quality of work • Shows neatness in invoicing and paperwork • Volunteers for work or assignments • Strives for competency in getting the job done • Doesn’t complain, doesn’t argue with dispatcher • Is damage or loss free for a recorded period • Needs minimal to no supervision • Without challenge, follows directions of management

METHODS OF RECOGNITION

There are many ways to recognize the efforts of the company’s Varsity players. Your actions need not be costly or overthe-top, but the simple act of recognition goes a long way. Here are twelve simple ways of appreciation that can be initiated any time the moment seems appropriate. Don’t think there shouldn’t be a special action to simply say, “Thank you” … recognition comes in many forms: • Letter of Appreciation • Letter of Thanks (mail em’ a Hallmark card) • Certificate for Employee of the Month • Employee of the Month Parking • Employee of the Month Plaque • Uplifting the employee at company meetings • Special mention in the company’s newsletter • Give a “Time-Off” coupon • Lunch with the boss or restaurant gift card • Send them to a tow show or liketype events • Opportunities for upward training • Opportunity to advance

One effective way of recognition is sending a press release to both local media and trade media. Depending on the level of accomplishment reported in the release, these outlets are looking for positive news to print. Tower performs his 100th recovery, or, tower celebrates ten years serving the community at ABC Towing, are items newspapers and trade magazines would consider printing.

Peterbilt Model 579EV Conquers Pikes Peak

Peterbilt Motors Company announced that the Model 579EV is the first zero-emission, battery-electric, Class 8 truck to successfully reach the summit of Pikes Peak.

Reaching Pike’s Peak demonstrates the superior performance of the 579EV and its integrated battery-electric technology. Along with over 110,000 real-world miles on the Peterbilt EV fleet of trucks, this feat further proves that the 579EV is ready for real world, customer operations today. The achievement was captured on video and can be seen at https://youtu.be/dJLiFUf1h6w.

Peterbilt tackled the challenge of climbing to the top of Pikes Peak, or “America’s Mountain”, to highlight the 579EV’s excellent power capabilities and drivability, even under extreme road conditions and cold temperatures. The most famous mountain road in the United States, the ascent to Pikes Peak’s summit at 14,115 feet has an average grade of 7% and incorporates 156 turns over the last 12.42 miles.

Over a 3-day period, the 579EV easily made the journey up Pikes Peak multiple times, each time using the recovered energy from regenerative braking on the descent to recharge the high-density battery packs to repeat each climb with ease.

“The performance of the Model 579EV while navigating to the summit of Pikes Peak was nothing short of amazing. Handling the 156 corners was made easier thanks to the lower center of gravity provided by the battery location on the 579EV,” said, Darryl Oster, Peterbilt assistant chief engineer.

“This is a huge moment for Peterbilt and everyone who has worked countless hours to bring this truck to life. Being the first battery electric powered Class 8 truck to conquer one of the most iconic roads in North America is just the beginning. Peterbilt is leading the charge on commercial vehicle electrification, with three distinctive EV configurations available for customer orders today in a variety of applications,” said Jason Skoog, Peterbilt general manager and PACCAR vice president.

Stertil-Koni Distributor Southwest Lift & Equipment Opens New Arizona Office and Warehouse

Southwest Lift & Equipment Inc., an exclusive distributor of heavy duty vehicle lift leader Stertil-Koni, has opened a new, dedicated sales, service, and warehouse facility in Queen Creek, Arizona.

The new facility in the Grand Canyon State complements Southwest Lift & Equipment’s long- standing headquarters location in San Bernardino, California.

Headed by its President, CEO and recognized vehicle lift expert, Dean McDonald, Southwest Lift & Equipment has established a wellearned reputation for providing exceptional customer support in all aspects of vehicle lift selection, installation and service.

Explained McDonald, “We are proud to offer our customers – which include public transit agencies, municipalities, pupil transportation providers, private trucking fleets, utilities and others – with the broadest range of high performance, durable and safe heavy duty vehicle lifting systems available anywhere.”

The new Arizona location will offer customers the entire portfolio of Stertil-Koni’s industry-leading products including the telescopic piston DIAMONDLIFT, scissor-style ECOLIFT, full vertical rise platform SKYLIFT, award-winning Mobile Column Lifts, and an innovative line of shop equipment engineered for safety, performance, and productivity.

At the core of Southwest Lift & Equipment’s growth has been its unwavering focus on customer support and service. Explained McDonald, “To serve new and existing customers in Southern California and Arizona, we are extremely proud to have on staff five ALI Certified Lift Inspectors – each of whom has successfully completed the rigorous training and practical experience required to achieve this acclaimed level of lift expertise as certified by the Automotive Lift Institute (ALI).”

Concluded Stertil-Koni President, Dr. Jean DellAmore, “Southwest Lift & Equipment has long been a top performer in the Stertil-Koni distributor network. Under Dean’s leadership, the team shares our commitment to delivering the highest levels of professionalism coupled with a customer-centric philosophy. We congratulate them on their new Arizona location and look forward to their continued success and partnership.”