Eliminating the Curve

                                                                        

Eliminating the Curve: Trailblazing Protocol to Create a Comfortable Environment

                       

By Campton Hancock

                       

With the spread of COVID-19 affecting all members of society, Basecamp staff have developed a protocol in order to create a safe environment for employees and customers. In this series of newsletters, we will be sharing a variety of interviews with members of the Basecamp team providing personal experiences regarding the creation and engagement of COVID-19 protocol within the Basecamp community.

                       

Robert James (BJ) White is approaching his one year anniversary as a service and parts manager on the Basecamp Team.

                       

BJ said that the first COVID-19 meeting at Basecamp occurred in “a relaxed atmosphere.” He expressed his appreciation for being part of a team in which leadership is flexible and collaborative. “Everybody was talking about it, we were pretty forward thinking,” BJ reflected on the first meeting. The meetings about COVID-19 that take place at Basecamp serve to mitigate the risks threatened by COVID-19, as well as serve as a discussion about the plans Basecamp has in order to promote a safe environment. “The leadership team have had all of the employee’s and customer’s backs, making sure that everybody is healthy and looked after.”

                       

When discussing how things have changed at Basecamp since the introduction of protocol, BJ said that it is “sort of hard to get used to at first, but getting easier as time goes on.” BJ describes himself as personable, and “enjoys talking to people in the industry who enjoy the same things that the Basecamp team are passionate about.” This is the aspect of the Basecamp protocol that has been hardest for BJ to adjust to, as curbside service has been introduced to minimize contact. BJ also commented on the altered atmosphere of the showroom, which is missing the bustle of Basecamp customers laughing and joking. While BJ misses being able to chat with customers, he expressed a firm belief in the importance of everyone doing their part in eliminating the curve. Basecamp team members feel gratified to have “received thanks and praise from customers” for the protocol introduced in order to keep employees and consumers safe.

                       

BJ said that he “was glad our leadership team took the steps they did, when they did.” Prior to the first meeting, BJ and his friend Andy were worried about how COVID-19 would affect their work at Basecamp, describing their positions as being “on the front line with the public,” but their worries were soon put to ease when protocol development began. “We were trailblazers in not only our industry, but in the retail industry,” BJ commented about the proactive development of the protocol that limited exposure for employees and the public.                       

BJ has conveyed that his family is well and healthy. His mother is currently in self-isolation in order to avoid exposure. BJ has been vigilant in supporting curbside service and home delivery for his essential services, and expresses an adamant belief in limiting his exposure in order to protect himself and others from infection.

                       

“We are still having as much fun as we can here,” BJ concluded. “The pandemic as a whole gives me a great amount of anxiety, but when I come to work, I know that I am safe. When I walk through the door, it is the same way I feel when I walk through my door at home.”