My corner office sits at the end of a hallway that carries sound directly to me. I prefer the sound of people's voices anytime over the clicking of a keyboard or the notification of another email arriving. Those voices tell you things that no report can.
Recently I overheard the sales team discussing venue changes for the Protector User Group Meeting — the event is relocating to Music City Center in downtown Nashville this year due to record attendance. That kind of problem — too many people wanting to come — is a good one to have.
I also learned that Dennis Wynne recently crossed his 25-year milestone with Equinox, coinciding with the arrival of his first grandchild. Twenty-five years. The length of a career, the accumulation of institutional knowledge, the trust built with hundreds of customers. It's a remarkable thing.
Certain sounds structure the week reliably. Monday Customer War Room reviews at 1:25 PM. Thursday basketball games at 11:00 AM. And frequently, David West's voice presenting the Equinox story to prospects — explaining who we are, what we do, and why it matters.
When Wayne Lowe and I founded Equinox in 1986, the goal was simple: CREATE A GREAT PLACE TO WORK. Nearly three decades later, I measure our success not in awards or financial displays, but in the conversations I hear through that hallway. In the employee milestones. In the customer relationships that have lasted 28 years. In the sound of a company that is doing what it set out to do.
About the Author — Byron Middendorf is CEO of Equinox Information Systems. To learn more about Equinox, visit equinoxis.com or call (615) 612-1200.