I am Forrest Webber, Head of The Trade Table, entrepreneur, data analyst, and customer service enthusiast, fueling your homes with affordable luxury coupled with a world-class service.
Company: The Trade Table
We are thrilled to have you join us today, welcome to ValiantCEO Magazine’s exclusive interview! Let’s start off with a little introduction. Tell our readers a bit about yourself and your company
Forrest Webber: Thank you for the warm welcome! My name is Forrest Webber, and I’m the proud owner of The Trade Table. At our company, we specialize in providing high-quality home products, focusing on kitchen appliances and tankless water heaters that blend functionality with style for a more efficient and luxurious home experience.
Our journey began out of a desire to combine my background in finance and analytics with my passion for creating value within the home. Before I ventured into The Trade Table, I sharpened my skills as a Data Domain Architect at a large financial institution. This role honed my analytical acumen, which I now apply to navigate the complexities of e-commerce and ensure that we not only meet but exceed customer expectations.
Additionally, I come with a diverse set of experiences, having delved into roles like program management and SOP documentation. I’ve also spread my entrepreneurial wings with Bear Brothers Cleaning, a thriving second business that has enabled me to further polish my customer service philosophy. From analyzing key metrics at Plastic Fusion Fabricators, Inc. and TriHaz Solutions to leading teams at warehouses and auditing programs, every step added a new layer to my expertise.
My time as an Apprentice Electrician gifted me with hands-on technical knowledge, which is now invaluable when selecting and understanding the intricacies of the products we offer at The Trade Table.
Education has always been a cornerstone for me; I’m a proud alumnus of Tulane University, where I earned my degree in Finance and Real Estate. My time there was also marked by contribution to equity research and being an active team player and leader in both football and baseball teams.
All these experiences coalesce at The Trade Table, where my team and I are passionately committed to delivering not just products but an experience. Our aim is to ensure customer satisfaction through world-class service, providing affordable luxury, and maintaining the integrity of secure transactions. Every decision we make is geared towards adding value to our customers’ homes and lives.
How has your approach to leadership evolved to meet the changing expectations of today’s workforce, especially regarding remote and hybrid work?
Forrest Webber: My approach to leadership has had to evolve significantly to meet the changing expectations of today’s workforce, particularly in light of the shifting landscape towards remote and hybrid work. As the owner of The Trade Table, I recognize that our success is deeply rooted in the adaptability and satisfaction of our team, which is now more diverse and geographically dispersed than ever before.
With remote and hybrid work becoming more prominent, I’ve placed a substantial focus on fostering a culture of trust and accountability. I believe in setting clear expectations and providing the autonomy for my team to deliver on their responsibilities in a way that aligns with their personal working styles and life commitments. This means being flexible with working hours and embracing asynchronous communication when appropriate.
To accommodate remote work effectively, I have invested in technology infrastructure that ensures all team members can collaborate and access resources irrespective of location, creating a level playing field for everyone. We use a mix of project management tools and communication platforms to keep everyone connected and engaged.
I make it a point to maintain a strong online presence so that team members feel supported and heard, even if we’re not physically in the same space. Regular virtual check-ins and one-on-one meetings are part of my routine to stay in tune with individual team members’ needs and to provide support or guidance.
Understanding that remote work can lead to feelings of isolation, I also emphasize team bonding and encourage virtual social events that help maintain a sense of community and connectedness among our employees. This commitment to team cohesion is something I’ve found critical in improving job satisfaction and overall productivity.
My leadership style has always been data-driven, taking a page from my days as a Data Domain Architect. By utilizing analytics and feedback, I’ve been able to measure the effectiveness of our strategies for managing remote work and make adjustments as necessary. Listening to the team’s input has been invaluable in this process.
With these adjustments and a continuous willingness to adapt and learn, I aim to ensure that The Trade Table not only succeeds commercially but also provides a progressive and supportive work environment for its team.
What specific strategies have you implemented to foster Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) within your organization?
Forrest Webber: I’m acutely aware of the importance of fostering an environment of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) not only because it aligns with my personal values but also because it’s fundamental to the success and sustainability of the business.
One of the specific strategies I implemented to enhance DEI within The Trade Table was the development of a comprehensive DEI policy. This policy serves as an anchor for all of our practices and is actively communicated to the team. It emphasizes the importance of treating every individual with respect and creating an environment where the richness of ideas, backgrounds, and perspectives is valued.
since I’m aware of my own limitations in understanding every nuance of this complex topic, I seek external expertise when necessary and am open to learning and adapting our strategies over time. This helps ensure that The Trade Table remains a space where everyone feels they belong, can contribute, and where diversity is celebrated as a strength.
I strongly believe that such DEI initiatives contribute to a positive workplace environment and drive the innovative spirit needed in a competitive market, ultimately reflecting the diverse customer base we serve.
How do you keep your team engaged and motivated in a workplace culture that increasingly values flexibility and work-life balance?
Forrest Webber: I believe in creating a workplace culture that mirrors the values we offer to our customers – one that prioritizes top-quality service, while also ensuring the well-being of our team. To keep my team engaged and motivated, especially in an environment that increasingly values flexibility and work-life balance, I foster an atmosphere of open communication and mutual respect. I encourage my team to take ownership of their responsibilities, which empowers them and helps drive engagement.
Understanding the unique demands of our industry, I also facilitate an adaptive work schedule that complements our business requirements while accommodating the personal needs of our staff. This approach helps in promoting a healthy work-life balance. Regular team meetings and one-on-one sessions are a staple, as they allow us to align on goals, celebrate achievements, and discuss any support that might be needed.
What do you see as the biggest challenges in preparing for the future workforce, and how are you addressing them?
Forrest Webber: When thinking about the biggest challenges in preparing for the future workforce, a few key themes come to mind: technological advancements, the evolving nature of work, and the imperative to foster continuous learning and adaptability within my team.
To address these challenges at The Trade Table, I first focus on staying at the forefront of e-commerce trends and technology. I am constantly researching and integrating new tools that can streamline operations, enhance our online customer experience, and ultimately improve our bottom line. For example, we’ve been looking into adopting more sophisticated data analytics tools to better understand customer behavior and preferences, which can guide our product selection and marketing strategies.
Another significant aspect is cultivating a culture that embraces change. Given my background as a Data Domain Architect, I appreciate the value of data-driven decision-making and try to instill this mindset across my team. I encourage my staff to be curious, to ask questions, and to base their actions on insights rather than assumptions. This openness to data is critical as it will keep us agile and responsive to market changes.
In the realm of work’s evolving nature, I focus on revamping our workforce’s skills. The analytical rigor I gained in finance and business analysis has informed my approach to training programs. I invest in upskilling employees, not just in their current roles but also in skills that will be valuable in the future, such as digital literacy and project management. For instance, by cross-training our customer service representatives in using new CRM systems, they become more versatile and better prepared to take on the challenges of a digitally-centric business environment.
My experience as a team lead and auditor has taught me the importance of strong team dynamics and clear communication channels. To adapt to the future workforce’s needs, I’ve implemented regular team-building exercises and feedback sessions to ensure we maintain a cohesive unit that can tackle any problem creatively and effectively. I also prioritize hiring individuals who display a high level of adaptability and a penchant for teamwork.
Finally, fostering a culture of continuous learning is a cornerstone of our business philosophy. I am a proponent of ongoing professional development and make it a point to offer employees opportunities to attend workshops, seminars, and industry conferences. I believe that staying educated on industry trends and best practices not only benefits individual career growth but also empowers our business to navigate the future workforce landscape effectively.
How has the shift toward digital and remote collaboration affected your company culture, and what adjustments have you made to maintain a strong, cohesive team?
Forrest Webber: What used to be a business rooted in direct, personal interaction has evolved into one that relies heavily on digital communication and online transactions.
To adapt to this shift, we’ve made several key adjustments to maintain a strong, cohesive team:
1. Regular Virtual Meetings: We’ve instituted regular virtual meetings to keep the lines of communication open. These aren’t just work-related check-ins but also include virtual coffee breaks and team-building activities that help maintain the camaraderie that’s essential to our culture.
2. Cloud-based Collaboration Tools: We’ve fully embraced cloud-based tools that allow our team members to work on projects collaboratively and in real-time, regardless of their location. This has been instrumental in keeping everyone on the same page and nurturing a sense of togetherness.
3. Clear Communication: With remote work, it’s easy for messages to be misconstrued, so we’ve prioritized clear, concise, and frequent communication. This way, everyone understands their roles, responsibilities, and the company’s expectations.
4. Flexibility and Trust: Recognizing the importance of work-life balance, especially when working from home, we’ve made adjustments to our work schedules, allowing for greater flexibility. This demonstrates trust in our team and supports individual productivity and wellbeing.
5. Development and Learning Opportunities: Since physical workshops and training sessions are less feasible now, I’ve invested in online courses and webinars for my team to nurture their skills and keep them engaged in their professional growth.
6. Customer Interaction Shifts: As our customer interactions have moved online, we’ve adapted by enhancing our digital customer service. Now, we provide the same level of excellent service virtually as we would face-to-face, ensuring customer satisfaction and trust.
7. Recognizing and Rewarding Efforts: It’s even more important now to recognize and reward the efforts of team members. Whether it’s through virtual shoutouts or tangible rewards, acknowledging hard work maintains high morale.
