About

A wise person said, “Culture Eats Strategy for Lunch.” Our strategy to serve the fast paced technology sector requires an extraordinary culture and a way of relating that allows us to move with agility, speed, and caring. These 32 “Fundamentals” describe the values, behaviors, principles, and practices that make up our unique culture. They’re what set us apart and drive our success. We call this:
The Stockwell Way

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1. BE A GREAT INTERNAL CUSTOMER AND SUPPLIER.
Find ways to make working with you/us easier. Be accessible and approachable, and build a reputation for being helpful. Provide simple and complete instructions. When in doubt, try to tackle it yourself rather than pushing the work back to others. Try to simplify and boil your responses down using concise wording and short sentences.

2. BE FOR THE CUSTOMER.
Do what’s best for the customer, especially Hero Customers, even if it’s to our own short-term detriment. Put their needs ahead of our own. Don’t put off responding to complaints and rejections. There’s no greater way to build a reputation than to steadfastly do what’s right for our customers. Every day.

3. PRACTICE BLAMELESS PROBLEM SOLVING.
Demonstrate a relentless solution focus, rather than pointing fingers or dwelling on the negative. Acknowledge our mistakes, learn from them and use them as an opportunity to improve ourselves and our processes so we don’t make the same mistake twice.

4. DELIVER RESULTS.
While we appreciate and expect effort, we celebrate and reward results. Take personal responsibility for making things happen. Respond to every situation by suggesting solutions as to how we can do it and take time to follow-up. Set high goals, track your progress, and hold yourself accountable for achieving those results… and remember, it’s okay to ask for help. Share the victories!

5. CHECK YOUR EGO AT THE DOOR.
It’s not about you. Don’t let your own ego or personal agenda get in the way of doing what’s best for the team. Be there for each other every day and be enthusiastic about stepping into another role to help a co-worker when that’s what’s required for success.

6. MAKE QUALITY PERSONAL.
Demonstrate a personal passion for excellence and take pride in the quality of everything you touch and everything you do. Have a healthy disdain for complacency or mediocrity. Okay or passable is not good enough. Always strive to do your best!

7. BE POSITIVE.
You have the power to choose your attitude. Choose to be happy, optimistic, passionate, enthusiastic, and engaged. Your attitude is contagious and can make or break your co-workers’ spirit. Make the most of every day and spread optimism and positive energy.

8. DO THE RIGHT THING, ALWAYS.
Demonstrate an unwavering commitment to integrity, or doing the right thing in every action you take and in every decision you make, especially when no one’s looking. Always tell the truth, no matter the consequences. If you make a mistake (humans work here), own up to it, apologize, and help to make it right.

9. BE RESPONSIVE.
Respond to questions and concerns quickly, whether it’s in person, on the phone, or by e-mail. This includes simply acknowledging that we received a request and we’re “on it,” as well as keeping those involved continuously updated on the status of outstanding issues. Stay on top of time sensitive commitments you made. If you run into obstacles, get the help you need so you can respond effectively.

10. LISTEN GENEROUSLY.
Listening is more than simply “not speaking.” Give others your undivided attention. Be present and engaged. Minimize the distractions and let go of the need to agree or disagree. Try not to interrupt, suspend your judgment and avoid jumping to conclusions. Be curious to know more. Above all, listen to understand.

11. SPEAK STRAIGHT.
Speak honestly in a way that helps to make progress. Say what you mean, and be willing to ask questions, share ideas, or even raise issues that may cause conflict when it’s necessary for team success. Be courageous enough to say what needs to be said in a way that moves things forward. Address issues directly with those who are involved or affected. Don’t hide behind email, blind carbon copies, or voice mail.

12. ASSUME POSITIVE INTENT.
Work from the assumption that people are good, fair, and honest, and that the intent behind their actions is positive. Set aside your own judgments and preconceived notions. Give people the benefit of the doubt.

13. PAY ATTENTION TO THE DETAILS.
Missing just one detail can have an enormous impact on a shop order, quotation, or project. Be a fanatic about accuracy and precision. The goal is to get things right, not simply to get them done. Double-check your work. Get the details right the first time.

14. INVEST IN RELATIONSHIPS.
Our business is built on trust and trust is built on relationships. Make sure that your behavior and decisions enhance long-term relationships. Get to know each other, our partners, and our customers beyond the surface level. Strong relationships enable us to more successfully work through difficult issues and challenging times.

15. ASK WHY.
In the search for the best solutions, challenge and question what you don’t understand. Don’t accept anything at “face value” if it doesn’t make sense to you. Be curious, ask thoughtful questions, and listen intently to the answers. Ask the extra question – the answer often unlocks deeper understanding.

16. BE VIGILANT ABOUT SAFETY.
Know and practice the safety procedures for your job. Watch out for the safety of your teammates as well, for we’re all part of the Stockwell family. Never take shortcuts that compromise your safety or that of your teammates.

17. BE A MENTOR.
The best way to influence others is through your own example. Walk the talk. Take responsibility, both formally and informally, to coach, guide, teach, and mentor others. Think of who taught you the most – it’s your turn to pass it on. Pay it forward!

18. HONOR COMMITMENTS.
Do what you say you’re going to do, when you say you’re going to do it. This includes being on time for all phone calls, appointments, meetings, and promises. Make your commitments wisely. If a commitment can’t be fulfilled, notify
others early and agree on a new deliverable to be honored.

19. TREAT EVERYONE WITH DIGNITY AND RESPECT.
Everyone is differently important here. Our relationships go deeper than simply being teammates at work. Whether it’s a kind word during a tough stretch, a friendly smile each morning, or a helping hand in stressful times, show your compassion. Let’s truly be for each other.

20. SEEK TO CREATE WIN-WIN SOLUTIONS.
Learn to think from others’ perspectives. Discover what others need and whenever possible find solutions that meet their needs while still fulfilling our own. Check in as a follow up – it goes a long way.

21. SEIZE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHINE.
See problems and mistakes as opportunities to grow and build on. Our best chance to shine is when a customer, teammate, or partner is upset, angry, or frustrated. Some of our best Hero Customer relationships were formed from the way we went about fixing a mistake. We don’t shrink from problems; get the help you need and let’s go!

22. GO THE EXTRA MILE.
Be willing to do whatever it takes to successfully complete the job… plus more. Whether it’s starting early, staying late, cutting into break time, or doubling up on a job, it’s the extra mile that separates the ordinary from the extraordinary. We share a market with hundreds of companies – doing a little more than expected can win the day. We win by going above and beyond for our customers and teammates.

23. BE CLEAR ON EXPECTATIONS.
Create clarity and avoid misunderstandings by setting expectations upfront. Ask when you’re not clear on what is expected of you. End all meetings by summarizing action items, responsibilities, and due dates.

24. THINK AND ACT LIKE THE OWNER YOU ARE.
Make decisions by asking yourself, “What should I do since this is our company? What should I do since this is our money? Will this help our company to succeed?” Go about your work with an ethic of responsibility. We’re all responsible for, and benefit from, the Stockwell Elastomerics image and reputation. Treasure, protect, and promote it!

25. MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
Use every day as a chance to make a difference – a difference in the lives of others, a difference in the work you touch, a difference in the appearance of our facility. The road to success isn’t always fun or easy. Be willing to do the mundane and ordinary things necessary to achieve the result. Do whatever it takes. Contribute to the success and progress of our company.

26. SHOW MEANINGFUL APPRECIATION.
Recognizing people doing things right provides value! Regularly extend heartfelt and meaningful acknowledgment and appreciation – in all directions throughout our organization. Celebrate individual and team successes!

27. WORK SMART.
Be organized, follow procedures and plan your work to keep you on track. Have a game plan and build consistency and repeatability into your routine. Keep track of your commitments. Keep a list. Know the priorities and work on them first. Having a plan helps us stay on track – especially as situations arise through the day.

28. ALIGN WITH CHANGE.
What got us here is not the same as what will sustain us and get us to the next level. Be curious, optimistic, and excited by the possibilities that change and growth bring. Be open to getting outside your comfort zone, rather than stubbornly hanging on to old ways of doing things. Be flexible and open to change.

29. WALK IN OTHERS’ SHOES.
Understand your customers’ world. Know their challenges and frustrations. Consider the world from their perspective. Empathy leads to understanding. The better you understand them, the more effectively you can anticipate and meet their needs.

30. SHARE INFORMATION.
With appropriate respect for confidentiality, share customer information throughout our organization. Think of who might benefit from knowing. The more people know, the better we can collaborate. Learn to ask yourself, “Who else would benefit from knowing this?”

31. LOOK AHEAD AND ANTICIPATE.
Solve problems before they happen by anticipating future issues. Try to look around the corner – plan for contingencies and disruptions, and address them in advance. Don’t hesitate to call a huddle up meeting – let your teammates help. Preventing issues is always better than fixing them.

32. KEEP THINGS FUN.
While our passion for excellence is real, we also need to be passionate about our own lives. Remember that the world has bigger problems than the daily challenges that make up our work. Stuff happens. Savor the small moments and keep perspective. Don’t take things personally or take yourself too seriously. Find moments to connect with and share fun conversation or a laugh with your associates every day.