Comments by Doug Kilgariff
Director Technical Environments & Data Center Solutions

The reason I joined Subzero Engineering — A culture of shared success!

Wishin’ and Hopin’ and Thinkin’ and Prayin’. 

Sometimes a song, good or bad, get’s stuck in your head. I was in the middle of a deep thought on business connectivity when I heard Wishin’ and Hopin’ and Thinkin’ and Prayin’ and I thought of the irony of it as it relates to business creation. It sounds a lot like the growth strategy that some business owners are employing these days. Now, I’m not saying that it’s the conscience direction that some business owners are moving in, but more like a natural default. It happens when the crazy, chaotic, whirling dervish of business life spins so fast.

Doing the same thing and expecting new results! 

We all know the saying about “doing the same things and expecting a new result”.  The bottom line is it just doesn’t work. Leadership with vision realizes this and looks to change when necessary to grow. I’ve seen really good companies lose their way because of stale thinking and antiquated methodology – they become disconnected.  When sales are down disconnected companies fall back to the old practices of cutting services, people, and quality. They start pounding the pavement in a vain effort to regain lost momentum without a clear understanding of why their business is suffering and how it got there. This is typically when the good people in the company leave and the company will slowly become irrelevant and die off.

It all starts with a direction and planning! 

This simplistic process can make an immediate impact on the health of the company moving forward. Direction starts with a good plan that takes into consideration the needs of the company, the clients, as well as the greater community. Planning is the most overlooked and under utilized business practice today. The great companies have the foresight to tap into the creative and intellectual capabilities of their people to create direct, and focused planning.

The Power of Positive Communication! 

Now I’m not knocking the power of positive thoughts, but alone they are just that… thoughts. Positive action and positive belief coupled with massive action planning is far more valuable. Identifying growth opportunities and connecting the company internally starts with simple communication.  Communication, however, is the first thing that typically disintegrates and then conflicts between, and within, departments tend to arise. To mitigate this, smart companies invest time and resources to on-going process refinement, as well as the continuing education of all employees. A clear cultural success strategy is also necessary for growth.

I came to Subzero because of the culture and the people.

We take risks, we challenge ideas, we encourage debate and we act on each other’s strengths. Our tradition is to continuously develop and promote a culture of shared success. Shared success that is based on a foundational belief that each person is acting in the best interest of the company, our clients, our partners, and each other. We are invested in each other’s successes, and embrace and encourage when we misstep. We empower to act! It creates an unbelievably vibrant dynamic that encourages opinions, and gives each of us a platform. Everyone has a voice! Everyone is encouraged to contribute, and everyone is expected to participate. It helps create and maintain a healthy company and defines our mission.

Transparency and communication! 

We are advocates for our clients! We are committed to doing business the right way. These are not statements we take lightly.  Transparency, communication, integrity and innovation are what keep us focused and committed. All are true measures of our culture. It’s what we wear proudly and what we proudly offer to our clients and partners.

Our simple promise! 

There is a huge value to positivity in business and in life. I try to live my life every day with the belief that good things are always around me. True success starts and ends with the right people, the right vision and certainly the right planning. Our promise is simple; we will always provide the best of us.

A message from Subzero Engineering CEO, Larry Mainers

Business is a lot like sailing; both require people (crew), equipment, a starting point, a destination, and of course, the voyage.

The saying “you can’t control the wind but you can adjust your sails” has been quoted countless times, but what does it really mean? In business and in life, the meaning behind this phrase is about adaptability—shifting strategy when circumstances change, rather than resisting the inevitable.

Like business, sailing can be a lot of fun: sun, sea, sails and wind… not too shabby. And just like life, sailing has its good and bad days. On good days the wind is in your favor, on bad days… not so much. Thus, the analogy goes. Based on this, it would seem that our ability to adjust the sails on the contrary days is the difference between success and failure.

Sadly, it’s not always as simple as adjusting the sails. For example, try adjusting your sails in a hurricane.

Positive thinking alone does not equate to success, but it can be a powerful ally. The facts are that many positive, bright, and talented people venture out into the world of business only to be brushed back by the strong winds of adversity. What then defines the companies that consistently prove successful where others have not?

The answer can be found with the captain and crew.

When you align yourself with talented, positive, and bright people the winds of adversity are mitigated. Surrounding yourself with great people creates dynamics that cannot be easily defeated. No wind can change the direction of an army of dedicated people.

Our world has a way of glorifying the individual, but most of the time that individual shines because of the team they have. For instance it’s always the star quarterback that is interviewed after the game. But if you privately ask the quarterback, he will tell you that without the great people surrounding him he could not advance the football even one yard.

I have had the privilege of owning and operating several successful companies. In each case what made the company successful were the people.

I am proud to be at the helm of Subzero Engineering. Our crew is filled with talented, bright, and passionate people who work as a team. Combined, we are a force to be reckoned with. Instead of one person with a vision, we are many with a singular focus.

There is an old proverb that says “And if somebody could overpower one alone, two together could make a stand against him. And a threefold cord cannot quickly be torn in two.” It is essential in sailing to use lines or ropes that use multiple strands, that create incredible strength. A great business joins the talents and drive of many people into one singular goal, one cord. Additionally, great people make the joys and challenges of business a real pleasurable experience. For me –  this makes the voyage, not the destination, a far better experience.

My motto is simple; if you surround yourself with great people who share your vision, you will find that when the wind of adversity blows you can hold the course by merely adjusting the sails.