15 June 2018
Access Response
7yThank you for your candid review and I am glad you see so much positivity about what we are doing here at Access.
We are working hard to provide opportunities for our team members across so many of the items you mention (training and education, health initiatives, personal financial management, etc.) and I am touched that it shows that we care, because we do care…and, personally, I do care. That is why we try to create an environment, culture and life here at Access where people really care about one another.
“As with all businesses, money is the bottom line”...You’re correct that “the bottom line” is a very important financial metric and I am always quick to point out that according to the IRS, at the highest level, there are only two types of companies: 1) for-profit and 2) not-for-profit, and we are definitely a for-profit company.
This can create a tough tension as we strive to produce both good short-term and long-term financial results, while also investing in the team and the growth of the business. Regardless, we will always invest in growth, because the more we grow (profitably), the more we can continue to invest in both the business and the team. And, let’s be clear, the alternative to growth is no growth, or shrinking, and these alternatives lead to lay offs, or worse, which would be horrible, especially in a company where we all actually care about one another.
I would like to add that striking the balance in this tension isn’t a perfect science and there will be times when we over-invest in the team, which will disproportionately hurt the bottom line, but there will also be times when we underinvest in the team and that could (temporarily) help the bottom line. It will always be our goal to strike the right balance, or at least be heading toward the right balance.
Also, as you astutely note, we are often working within the confines of a budget – a budget that has been communicated to investors, lenders and outside rating agencies - so, we have to always work carefully to manage everyone’s expectations, including all team members and our clients, about what exactly will get done and when...which really comes down to communication, I believe.
Thanks again for your review and feel free to reach out to me anytime at ralston@accesscorp.com.
Keep REACHing for your very best,
Rob