“THIS IS DELTA!” - DELTA DAYS 2014
Delta Days 2014 began on January 28th with a
welcome by President Ric Neubert and introductions
by 90 attendees. The three-day training event was
held at the Isle Casino in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.
This year’s theme was “This is Delta!”
“A shift in the economy, market, and competition, has
been evident this past year. As a result, Delta has
and will continue to adjust to meet these challenges,”
stated Don Rosenbarger, Senior Vice President of
Operations and coordinator of Delta Days, “However,
there are some things that Delta will never change:
such as the Core Values which guide and inspire
employees every day.”
President Neubert reviewed Delta’s Core Values
which consist of: Integrity, Responsibility, Teamwork,
Respect, Openness and Trust, Setting an Example,
Entrepreneurship, Citizenship, and Humility.
We Are Safe
The event’s first session was conducted by Safety
and Environmental Manager Jerry Neels as he
shared the Safety Dashboard for 2013, which showed
improvement over the previo us year. Jerry was
assisted by Scott Jinks and Shane Kelley, Regional
Safety Coordinators.
The presentation emphasized four Core Safety
activities: weekly safety meetings at all locations; new
employee orientation; regional safety committees; and
senior management safety visits. Additionally, Colas’
new safety initiatives were discussed. These initiatives
include: opening formal meetings with a “Safety
Minute” and the Colas Safety Awareness Week
which will be held June 16th – 20th. Wrapping up
the WE ARE SAFE session, Scott introduced Delta’s
2014 training initiative – online safety training for all
employees, which will provide a systematic method of
standardized quality safety training for all employees.
We Are Here
Delta’s Young Leader Program participants presented
and briefly discussed current market areas/conditions
for each region. Included in the discussion were current
and future private, municipal, and state DOT projects
as well a review of market by market competition.
We Manage Our Assets
Plants and Equipment Manager, Jerry Farnham,
reviewed the four pillars of Colas’ Cleanergie program:
stockpile moisture management, mix temperature,
coordination (trucking logistics), and fuel consumption
reduction. A brief demonstration of the Navman
GPS system showed how the data helps with
understanding fleet performance in terms of optimum
routing and reducing idle time. Jerry discussed ways
to improve fleet management by controlling the costs
associated with labor, parts, tires, outside rentals, and
fuel. Concluding the session, Jerry reviewed the Key
Performance Indicators (KPI) he is tracking to help
improve performance.
We Maintain Our Assets
Jordan Janet, Regional Safety
Coordinator, kicked off this session
discussing the benefits of a proper
preventive maintenance program
for Delta’s trucking fleet (ready
mix delivery trucks, lowboys, and
dump trucks). These benefits include safety, fewer
DOT violations, cost-reduction for DOT violations,
raising the standards, and improving the company
image.
Van Loomes, RM Plant Manager, Sikeston, stressed
the necessity of completing the Daily Inspection forms
for the fleet of equipment. These forms may differ from
site to site; however, the “what to look for” remains the
same: fluid levels, proper greasing, wheels and tires,
fire extinguisher, ladders, guards, windows, mirrors, air
pressure, horn, parking brake, back-up alarm, lights,
seat belt, and ROPS.
The afternoon session concluded with a discussion
by Dan Grier, Regional Manager and Rick Moody, VP,
regarding the two types of maintenance: emergency
and scheduled. The keys to a good Maintenance
Program rest with the employees and include visual
inspections, tracking forms, monitoring data, training,
and being prepared with the proper tools, parts, and
knowledge.
We Learn and Grow
Steve Behunin, with MAP Consulting, provided a
fast-paced and emotional leadership and teamwork
development program highlighting lessons from the
movie Remember the Titans. It is the story of how the
T.C. Williams High School football team overcame
adversity, led by their coaches Herman Boone and
Bill Yoast. Steve discussed the four stages of team
development: forming, storming, norming, and
performing. He also captured the attributes of a leader
displayed by the two coaches. This is an excellent
movie to watch from a leadership perspective.
We Are Innovative
The
qualities
of
a
Construction Improvement
Entrepreneur
were
presented
by
Tommy
Thompson of Colas, Inc.
Tommy explained that every
business model consists of
three components: people,
process, and position.
In order to be successful, the company must maximize
each component. Problem-solving and processsolving skills can be enhanced by understanding the
problem and the causes of the problem (and eventually
root causes), then identifying countermeasures that
eliminate or contain the root cause in the future.
This process can be aided by using a Value Stream
Map, which breaks down activities into the following
elements: communication, processes, and timeline.
We Care
Debbi Robinson, Human Resources Manager,
presented a compliance refresher course in the
afternoon session We Care about Compliance
regarding equal employment opportunity (EEO) and
diversity; wage and hour regulations (FLSA); Family
Medical Leave Act (FMLA); Delta policies; training
documents; and harassment. It is the responsibility of
every manager and supervisor to ensure that policies
and procedures are consistently followed. Policies
and training forms are available on Delta’s website at
www.deltacos.com, via the Employee Portal. Debbi
also discussed the new Workers’ Compensation
Policy. We Care Enough to Correct Performance,
to assure orderly operations and provide the best
possible work environment. The company expects
employees to follow rules of conduct that will protect
the interests and safety of all employees and the
organization. The role of the supervisor in any
corrective action is to bring about a positive change.
There are major and minor violations, and each is
handled according to policy and procedure. Delta
follows a progressive discipline system designed to
bring about a change in the undesirable behaviors
or work habits. We Care to Understand and Resolve
Conflict began with a quote by Max Lucado: “Conflict
is inevitable, but combat is optional.” Conflict must be
managed to avoid escalation; prevent deterioration
of relationships; avoid adverse effects on timing,
quality, and productivity; and control costs of conflict
resolution. The T.A.L.K. approach is effective in conflict
resolution: Take a time out, Allow each person to tell
his side, Let each person ask questions, and Keep
brainstorming for resolution.
We Lead
Wally Adamchik, CEO of FireStarter Speaking said,
“You manage things, but lead people.” The best
practices of leadership are: be fair and equitable;
thank people; ask for criticism; know how to have fun;
have a passion for people; have a passion for the
work; appreciate diversity; challenge the status quo;
and be honest and forthright.
Today, one may encounter many differen t situations;
including communicating across multiple generations
and hiring untrained workers. Situational leaders must
adjust their leadership styles in accordance with the
readiness of their followers.
We Win
In
the
closing
session We Win,
President
Neubert
revisited
Delta’s
Core Values. He
displayed the Delta
difference
through
the various awards
and
recognitions
Delta
employees
have earned for the
company. He also
explained
Delta’s
commitment to employees through the benefits
program and training opportunities; to the industry
through the various trade associations Delta supports;
and the community through open houses, plant tours,
and internships.
Mr. Neubert discussed the “stark reality” of
transportation funding at federal and state levels,
especially in Missouri. He called upon all participants
to join the conversation and contact their legislators.
Mr. Neubert concluded by expressing his confidence
in the competence (abilities, education, skills,
knowledge) of Delta’s workforce and challenged
all to demonstrate the Delta commitment (attitude,
desire, drive, choice) to win. Commitment is the Delta
difference! “Success is a choice. Make it yours!”
Delta Companies Inc. 2014 Newsletter | ISSUE 1
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