Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/799779
42 FEDA News & Views it wasn't as important to them, it would have been a turn-off. I was really lucky to have that with my Crate and Barrel family and now here. In talking with friends and family, I've learned that this is not the norm so I'm very lucky to be working in a place where people care about one another. N&V: I understand you came to Globe looking for change. Anderson: Yes, I was working for a direct marketing company in Corporate America. My job was marketing, human resources, training, sales, and trade compliance. I had so very little time for myself or my family, as it was, and I had this crazy idea to run for Mrs. Connecticut America. After I was actu- ally crowned Mrs. Connecticut America 2006, I realized I hadn't factored in how I was going to have time to fulfi ll my obligation while working full time and E&S continued raising a family. Even though I knew it would be a signifi cant change, I decided to pursue a position with a small busi- ness, thinking it could offer me the bal- ance and understanding I needed. N&V: Globe was fortunate to fi nd you. Anderson: Actually, we were fortunate to fi nd each other. My resume was post- ed on Monster and Indeed, and on the same day they found me on Monster, I found them on Indeed. N&V: What position were you apply- ing for? Anderson: It was for ecom- merce marketing and sales. Brian {Ringelheim} had just started to develop their website and he needed to bring someone in to help him get the product online and promote the site. N&V: Being that this was a new indus- try for you and obviously a cultural shift, did you have any apprehensions? Anderson: I did. I didn't know how a smaller company would be able to compete with the benefi ts I was getting in Corporate America. What were they doing to incentiv- ize employees? What was keeping them there? At the time, most of the employees had been here for 15 and 25-plus years. I fi gured with those numbers the industry and Globe had to be pretty great. N&V: Any other concerns? Anderson: I was afraid I wasn't going to like it. In all honesty, all I could think about were the appliances in my kitchen and wondered if the job could hold my interest. N&V: I totally understand and had simi- lar questions when I entered the indus- try. You don't know until you know. One of the concerns Brian often talks about as an employer is the challenge of mak- ing pots and pans sexy. What helped ease your concerns? Anderson: During the interviewing process, they took the time to get to know me. My husband's a general con- tractor so I'm not afraid to touch things. I like to tinker with cars and I like to do things around the house. Brian and Jay compared some of my hobbies to various aspects of the job and made it sound sexier, so to speak. There are elec- trical components to think of, there's voltage, single phase and three phase, you have to worry about gas type. They talked about how a motor makes various pieces of equipment run in comparison to a motor running a car. That's when I started to see the possibilities. N&V: That was very clever. How did they know about your hobbies? Anderson: They were on my resume. N&V: Another challenge facing E&S dis- tributors trying to attract young talent in your region is the pull toward larger markets like New York. Everyone wants the glamorous job. Earlier, I asked Brian for his perspective on how smaller dis- tributors can compete against this and I'm curious if you have any thoughts. Anderson: That's tough, particularly considering the area we're in. When you're younger, you tend to think about how fun that lifestyle might be but I was a little bit more down to earth. There are plenty of people that aren't interested in the hubbub, and taking a train into work every day and not having the time to do anything else other than work. N&V: What was it about Globe that fi nally urged you to swallow your appre- hensions and join the team? Anderson: I think it was them. It was how I felt when I came in here. I was comfortable. In most interviews, you walk in with sweaty palms and you dread it. I didn't. The whole time I was here I was comfortable and that was huge. N&V: Brian and Jay {Ringelheim} are very nice people. Anderson: That's an understatement. They're awesome and I adore them both. In particular, there's something about Jay, his calm demeanor, and how he approaches things—both good and bad. There was one other thing I forgot to mention when you asked me why I took the job. We talked about the posi- tion, about what I was coming on to do and I was able to be honest with them. I couldn't just do one thing every day. I N&V: Anderson: going to like it. In all honesty, all I could think about were the appliances in my family and now here. In talking with friends and family, I've learned that this is not the norm so I'm very lucky to be working in a place where people care about one another. to fi nd each other. My resume was post- ed on Monster and Indeed, and on the same day they found me on Monster, I found them on Indeed. N&V: What position were you apply- ing for? Anderson: merce marketing and sales. Brian {Ringelheim} had just started to develop their website and he needed to bring someone in to help him get the product online and promote the site. N&V: Being that this was a new indus- try for you and obviously a cultural shift, did you have any apprehensions? Anderson: how a smaller company would be able to compete with the benefi ts I was getting in Corporate America. What were they doing to incentiv- ize employees? What was keeping them there? At the time, most of the employees had been here for 15 and 25-plus years. I fi gured with those numbers the industry and Globe had to be pretty great. I understand you came to Globe Yes, I was working for a think about were the appliances in my kitchen and wondered if the job could hold my interest. N&V: found them on Indeed. N&V: ing for? and promote the site. N&V: try for you and obviously a cultural shift, did you have any apprehensions? Anderson: how a smaller company would be able to compete with the benefi ts I was getting in Corporate America. What were they doing to incentiv- N&V: Anderson: going to like it. In all honesty, all I could think about were the appliances in my BILLIE JO ANDERSON GSA Contract Administrator, Globe Equipment Co. (10 Years In) ANDERSON