Marine Fabricator September/October 2020 - 26

RECOMMENDED READING

n addition to the learning and networking opportunities afforded by the
Marine Fabricators Association, Chris Ritsema, owner of Canvas Innovations

LLC, says books have vastly contributed to his culture-building efforts.
He strongly recommends:
* Up Your Business by Dave Anderson
* Winning with People by John C. Maxwell
* The Energy Bus by Jon Gordon
Clint Halladay, lead fabricator and production manager at SewLong
Custom Covers, recommends these books:
* EntreLeadership by Dave Ramsey
* The Culture Code by Daniel Coyle

A CULTURE CAN
GO BAD QUICKLY
IF THE OWNER
ISN'T PAYING
ATTENTION. YOU
NEED TO HAVE
THE COURAGE
TO DEAL WITH
THINGS QUICKLY
IF SOMEONE ISN'T
WORKING OUT.
-Chris Ritsema,
Canvas Innovations LLC

core values are discussed and employees
recognize each other's accomplishments.
"It took about a year or so for employees to participate in the recognition, so
you have to be deliberate and consistent
in your efforts," says Halladay. "But now,
everyone wants a turn to recognize someone. This has had a big impact on morale
and productivity."
Hiring for ﬁt
Halladay also worked with a mentor, J.P.
Nerbun. The first thing Nerbun did was
help SewLong define its core values,
created with input from the entire staff.
He also assisted with the hiring process.
Now, unlike in the past where Halladay
says the company used to hire "just
about anyone," the approach to this task
is very deliberate, focusing not only on
skills but on cultural fit as well.
Hiring for attitude is essential, says
Kotowski.
"I've worked hard to find the right
staff," he says. "They have each other's
back. They all step up when we have a job
that must get completed for a customer's
deadline. When someone has pain, we

comfort each other. When someone has
joy, we celebrate. As the company has
grown, so have I as a leader. I have to
wear many hats. I've had to learn how to
train others and be their coach."
Telling applicants that the company
will be evaluating skill sets and cultural fit
is part of Canvas Innovation's interview
process, says Ritsema. He uses several
hiring tools, one of which is Management
by Strengths, brought to his attention by
a business coach. Ritsema explains that
this tool reveals four personality types-
Blue, Red, Green and Yellow-and some
of the characteristics associated with
these colors/types.
For example, Blues focus on harmony and are good listeners. Schedules
and deadlines are important to them.
Reds are direct and results-oriented,
hard-driving, candid, with high egos.The
outgoing Greens are gregarious, friendly and like to be liked. Focused on being right, Yellows hate making mistakes.
They're perfectionists and have good
organizational skills.
Ritsema has been using this tool for
more than 10 years to help determine if

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Marine Fabricator September/October 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Marine Fabricator September/October 2020