The following is a transcript of my interview with Dolores McCorkle Head Director of Finish Line Abrasives, located in Hickory, North Carolina.
Tell me a little bit about how you started with FINISH LINE Abrasives
I contacted KLINGSPOR directly and was told by the Human Resource Dept. that they were actually considering hiring someone in the near future for a new division that was being started. This provided hope and gave me a goal to work toward. I believe, consistency in calling and patience in waiting for the position to be developed were the key factors in obtaining the entry level position that I was granted with FINISH LINE. When I started, I loved my new job. It was a blessing and a challenge.
Could you give me some examples to illustrate the challenge you faced in starting FINISH LINE?
When FINISH LINE first began, all pricing entered into our system other than list pricing had to be hand calculated and entered. This took much time and accuracy was critical. Customers do not want to be overcharged.
Additionally, FINISH LINE, a Retail Division was quite different from the Industrial Division of KLINGSPOR. Those already familiar with KLINGSPOR encountered their own challenges:
Pack Quantities vs. Items sold as Each Quantities, Part Numbers: 6 digits vs. part numbers that actually explained what an item was listing the material, grit, size, etc.
I also recall challenges with scheduling of work orders, backorders, shipping issues and communication challenges were ever present.
Management was removed and had limited input which then leadership defaulted to an existing Customer Service Rep who then became responsible for implementing the line and training. The situation became a sink or swim.
With limited involvement from Management, opportunities for decision making were afforded without risk of immediate reprimand. Many decisions and actions were based on trial and error, do it and ask for forgiveness later if it doesn’t work and gut instincts.
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