Colleagues ,
I hope you all had a wonderful summer and are as excited about the weeks and months ahead as I am . In some ways , this summer marked the end of a long and challenging era . I can ’ t help but think back to March of 2020 when we all left behind work as we knew it and started doing things differently — wearing a mask in front of customers or communicating over Zoom and Teams 1,000 % more than we used to .
What we didn ’ t know was that some things would change forever . Now , as we prepare to bring 100 % of our workers back to the office — which they left 18 months ago — many wonder what life will be like .
It won ’ t ever be the same . It will be even better .
Alex Taylor President and CEO
Through Flex Forward , our innovative playbook for the future of work , we are going to find our new normal . We are going to bring the best of the Cox culture back to our campuses — hopefully with some improvements like shorter commutes , work schedules that fit life better and a more inclusive environment enabled by technology .
It is important to remember that Cox is a “ critical infrastructure ” company , so some employees in stores , auction sites and customer homes have been back at in-person work for over a year now . You have been on the front line helping Cox and our nation as a whole move forward . We are all extremely grateful for your hard work and perseverance .
As the rest of us come back , it will be important that we all be patient . Routines and lives have changed , and we ’ ll be feeling our way to a new normal . Some work groups may approach it differently than others and it may appear odd , but we will work through it .
No matter what , some things don ’ t change here . This company is built on values and beliefs that are unshakeable . We value teamwork ; we value hard work ; we value fairness ; we embody empowerment . Just look at our latest Governor Cox Award winner Sam Chaple . His Manheim auction in Nashville was destroyed by a tornado , just a month before COVID-19 hit . He had to adjust to a new normal while rebuilding , keeping his team safe and staying in business . The auction did it through in-person leadership and a digital transformation of the business .
We recognized him and his team because they embody what this company is all about . And in this issue of InSide Cox you will find several other profiles of leadership that embody that Cox spirit .
We have a lot going on right now , and we need to be strategic and purposeful in how we grow . Whether it is the rollout of wireless mobile in our Cox Communications markets or international investments in businesses like FleetMaster ( software designed to help track , analyze and improve fleet operations at Cox Automotive ), we are investing to achieve our goals . Our nearly $ 1 billion investment in sustainability is another example of what you will see more of .
Please excuse my beaming smile when we see you again for the first time . Most importantly , thank you for your hard work and dedication to building this business and a better world .
Follow us at @ AlexTaylor _ Cox and @ CoxEnterprises
P . S . For the past 16 months , we ’ ve made operating our businesses safely our top priority . Thanks to your willingness to wear masks , social distance and follow other health protocols , we ’ ve been able to open many of our locations . Now we need to go a step further to continue to be a successful company and a good corporate citizen . There is one thing we can all do to stop the spread and mutation of COVID-19 : GO GET YOUR VACCINE .
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