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Delivering the goods in self-isolation
Delivering the goods in self-isolation
In our last updates, we have celebrated our CNC and Sales teams who have risen to the Ventilator Challenge in the face of adversity and by sourcing essential materials from new suppliers. We have also introduced our Rapid Prototyping Unit 1 team and seen their work on COVID-19 testing equipment. In this article, we look overcoming the challenges of working in self-isolation.
Protecting the vulnerable
Since lockdown began, we have arranged our working environment to ensure our staff remain healthy and safe, thereby enabling us to continue providing our full range of services to our customers.
As with most companies, a few of our team self-isolated in the early stages of lockdown and only returned to work when they had a clean bill of health. Our entire body of staff has pulled together as a team to ensure the impact of these brief absences were minimal.
But, what about those who need to put themselves in self-isolation longer-term to protect vulnerable members of their family?
Our Lead RP Systems Technician, Jason Fullwood, is one of those people. In order to protect their two-year-old son Logan, both Jason and his partner Laura (an NHS keyworker) have been self-isolating since the end of March. However, Jason was adamant that he could continue his work from home and continue he has.
Jason is responsible for the smooth running of all our 3D Printers and Additive Manufacturing orders.
This is all very manageable when based in Royston, so how have he and his Unit 2 RP team (Alex Barnett, Chris Lock, Nick Crown and Chris Johnson) made it work when long-distance relationships typically fail?
The key(s) to success
If you put aside the comedic aspects of the film Hear No Evil, See No Evil, the key to Wally and Dave’s success was their ability to communicate despite the obvious challenging barriers. Jason and his team have achieved their success because they have established clear lines of communication, via the phone, email and through Zoom. It isn’t always easy, as we’re sure you can appreciate, but it has become much easier the longer we have worked this way.
The team has, basically, been Jason’s hands. However, saying that sounds derogatory. Yes, the team has followed Jason’s detailed instructions, but they aren’t puppets being controlled by a puppeteer. They have really been much more than that and have achieved more because of it.
When this new way of working began, the team followed Jason’s instructions to the T, or as good as. Yet, they have all developed a newfound confidence and have drawn on their own experience and used their judgment to adjust instructions to get the best results on the parts we have been making for our customers.
Ultimately, the team has seized the opportunity to flourish by communicating effectively and by trusting in their initiative.
Our sincere thanks and congratulations to Jason, Alex, Chris, Nick and Chris for overcoming the difficulties of working in these different circumstances.
The future
As we all wait impatiently for the Government to reveal how it plans to get Britain back into business (not that we’ve ever stopped being in business!), one thing has been made crystal clear: our staff – whether they are in self-isolation, working from home or in our premises – are the heart of Prototype Projects.
We’ve always known we have a fantastic bunch of people working here, but now more than ever, they have tightened as teams that work collaboratively both within their own teams and across the business.
Only a few months ago we had been talking about what would be a good team-building event for the whole team. COVID-19 is a terrible situation for many, and our thoughts are, of course, with those. However, for us, it has been the best team-building exercise (if you can call it that) that we couldn’t have ever imagined. It has brought out the best in the team and how to work together.
Ready to start your next prototype project?
Prototype Projects is a UK-based prototyping bureau delivering high-quality prototype parts in fast turnaround times.
We offer CNC machining, CNC milling and laser cutting services. We also offer a 3D printing service for SLA, SLS, FDM and DLP parts. Use our My 3D AM service for online SLS 3D printing instant quoting and ordering for additive manufacturing.
Contact us on 01763 249760 to discuss your next prototype project.