The New Employee Orientation, or NEO as we call it, proved to be an exceptional experience for me, unlike anything I've encountered in my previous roles at other companies. EnviroTech invests time and effort to ensure that every new employee can meet with the leads of most, if not all, departments. It is not a generic process involving a few YouTube videos and quizzes; instead, everyone dedicates time to personally engage with and present to every new team member.
Regardless of whether you work in the field, drive a truck, operate remotely, or contribute to office operations, everyone comes together for meaningful connections. This team bonding experience extends beyond our usual day-to-day interactions, fostering connections that contribute to the overall strength of the company.
Our first evening kicked off with a dinner hosted by the corporate ops team, featuring fun icebreakers that allowed us to learn more about each other. Witnessing such enthusiastic participation from team members across various departments was both refreshing and encouraging, especially for the group of eight new employees attending this NEO.
The next day started with breakfast burritos, providing an informal setting to get to know colleagues over shared stories. We then delved into the Lab, gaining insights into the creation, improvement, and rigorous quality checks of the products we sell. A lunchtime conversation with Steve Bytnar, the company CEO, added a personal touch as he shared stories and invaluable advice for success at EnviroTech and in life.
The remainder of our day involved meetings with leaders from Supply Chain, Marketing, and Accounting, offering a comprehensive understanding of how each department operates and introducing us to the people behind the company's success.
Our second night was devoted to team bonding through an amazingly fun session of axe throwing at the Hatchet House. The camaraderie, laid-back atmosphere, and shared enjoyment made it the best team bonding experience I've ever been a part of. Post-axe throwing, we gathered at Fusco Pizza to relax and enjoy dinner as a group.
On the final day, our visit to the Evans plant included participating in their morning huddle, sharing donuts with the team, and gaining insights into daily operations. We attended presentations on Cybersecurity with Vince, safety with Jeff, and an HR overview with Laney, Lindsey, and Matt. We then took a break for lunch and enjoyed a meeting with Tim Pike and Shane Danhoff to learn about plant operations. The day continued with a tour of the Evans Yard with Donny Hewitt, offering an up-close look at daily operations firsthand, and concluded with an informative session on DOT driver and fleet compliance with Michael Klaseen and Kerry Euker. Kerry was then kind enough to take us out to do a truck inspection and demonstrate how the trucks are used to spray our products.
I'm genuinely impressed with the time and dedication EnviroTech invests in NEO. The bonding experience I had with my team during this orientation is something I'll cherish throughout my time at the company. Every department's commitment to presenting and addressing our questions showcased the company's dedication to employee onboarding. I sincerely hope NEO continues to be a cornerstone of EnviroTech's employee integration process.
