To lead a business takes a lot of know-how and making sure you keep your head on straight during any situations that may arise. You need to make sure not just to say but to lead by example, not for only you but to show your employees that everything works out for the good. To succeed in business today, you need to be flexible and have good planning and organizational skills. The prior statement has given by Tammy Frazier CEO and President at American Data Plates Inc.
Tammy joined American Data Plates Inc. 8 years ago. She was producing the parts in the back just like any other beginner. A few years after, she moved up to working in the office. It didn’t take long to learn how to run the business. Her title went from Production to Office Manager; bringing in new orders, answering emails, making sure materials were in stock and ordered if need be. Talking with the customers to make sure their orders were done right and sent out on time. She says, “It took me a few trials and errors but it happens to everyone while learning something new.”
In an Interview with World’s Leaders, Tammy shared her journey and how she successfully thrived in it by hard work and being persistent with every job profile she had in the company.
Describe American Data Plates Inc.’s offerings that address all the needs of your customers.
American Data Plates, Inc. solely manufactures to the Aerospace, Space, Defense, Energy, Transportation, Marine, Medical and Automotive industries and a few others. With these, we offer identification services that are required in all industries mentioned that is not a readily available request in most parts. We provide each customer with their identification products whether it is in data plate form, to manufactured dash panels and overlays. Our customers also can get their products in a multitude of different processes which in return helps them to lower costs, faster cycle times for mass production and make to stock if required. Our clients are always in search of companies in the manufacturing industry that can manufacture to comply with their products. We being ISO9001 and AS9100D certified helps the customers know that American Data Plates, Inc. has an excellent GMP in place that is topped by our Quality Control division.
Enlighten us on how you have made an impact in the manufacturing industry through your expertise in the industry?
As technology, demographics and economic climate shift – we as the manufacturer must innovate ways to be competitive. We have learned to produce our parts through more strategic ways and improve the production time as well. Educating our employees is pivotal for our innovation. To successfully meets the market demands our workforce has understood the existing technologies. We support a continuous learning culture and implement opportunities as they evolve. Our practices are becoming more digital compliant with the new times within our business. We have improved our webpage and social media outlet.
What are the challenges you and your team at American Data Plates Inc. come across in your day-to-day operations?
As a manager and president of American Data Plates, Inc., I face challenges related to productivity and communication throughout the day. Knowing how to recognize them and address the issue right away helps to increase my confidence and ability to lead our team. Our employees experience periods when they aren’t as productive as normal.
Sometimes it’s hard to balance their workloads and my own as well. I focus on what they need to do first, and then I start my tasks to ensure everything gets done adequately. The most important thing to do is, to be honest with your team members in any situation.
What people, what books, what life factors have influenced and impacted you?
My mother was the biggest influence in my life. Growing up watching her take care of us kids, making sure dinner was on the table every night, helping us with our homework, and just watching her do it and not complain.
I have overcome a lot of struggles in my life; from doing drugs, going to jail and hanging out with the wrong kind of people; things he doesn’t know. Learning I was pregnant with my son made an impact on me to give him a better life and be a greater person all around. Always looking to God and having Faith helped me to overcome all bad situations knowing that everything will turn out good no matter what.
Taking into consideration, the current pandemic, and its impact on global economies, how are you driving your organization to sustain operations and ensuring the safety of your employees at the same time?
It was a sad thing to see the pandemic hit us and so many people get sick and even die. We are doing our part to make sure our employees stay safe and work in a clean environment. We have our employees wipe all equipment, desks and other work areas down every morning before work is started. Taking the time to make sure they are equipped with the cleaning tools, cleaners and having masks is on the top of the list. We were mandated to stay open, so that helped us stay afloat with this pandemic. Seeing the majority of the businesses close was sad to see.
Describe in detail the values and the work culture that drives American Data Plates Inc.
Here at American Data Plates, Inc., we strive for Strategic Precision through all of our production processes. We outline the objectives of each team so our employees have concrete results to work towards. It will not only help their performance but encourage collaboration between our team members. We make sure to have room for feedback to adjust quotas and KPI’s (Key Performance Indicator’s) when they are needed. In inclusion to setting department goals, we make sure every employee is clear on our organization’s long-term intentions. This is to help our workers prepare for a sense of professional purpose. There are times when our work is stressful, but we set the time to make the environment a little more cheery to brighten the mood for everyone. People don’t succeed unless they are having some sort of fun sometimes.
Where do you envision yourself to be in the long run, and what are your future goals for American Data Plates Inc.?
My partner, Ron Coger and I have envisioned ourselves taking this business over the top. It has been a small shop for the longest time, and our goal is to make it the biggest manufacture of data plates in the United States.
We strive to be the best that we can be and put out a great product for our customers, so they keep coming back for more. We work with our customers in meeting their needs for the products they need to fulfil their job.
What would be your advice to budding entrepreneurs?
Think twice before making purchases to ensure you build up your company. Truly understanding your industry is the key to having success. Last but not least, make sure to deliver more than the customer expects. Being a successful entrepreneur takes a lot of work, a lot of vision and determination. Anyone can do it with the right determination and tools.
