Oh, 2020. Where do I begin? It would be difficult to say anything that hasn’t already been said, but here’s an angle that’s probably on the road less traveled…
Thank you, 2020.
That’s right. Thank you.
Remember, the blog title is Giving Thanks. On the surface, it might seem challenging to find gratitude amidst the negative 2020 narrative. But when I dig just slightly beneath the surface, there’s so much to be thankful for.
First, I’m grateful for the good health of our employees and our families. We’ve been fortunate to remain healthy and safe, and I hope this continues until COVID is contained.
I’m grateful for the InCheck team that came together and became stronger in the face of adversity. We’ve continued to achieve the service and response metrics we strive for every day, and our efforts have been recognized by ranking for the very first time on the HRO Today Baker’s Dozen list of customer satisfaction rankings for midsize background screening companies.
I’m grateful for the loyalty of our customers, and for their patience and grace as we’ve worked together through abnormal, COVID-related delays. The popular COVID mantra, “we’re in this together,” couldn’t apply more to how we’ve navigated these times with our client partners.
I’m grateful to our partners. What we do at InCheck is dependent on a tremendous network of individuals and organizations who are always there for us, especially now, in the face of COVID. We are pleased to have established a fantastic partner network that has allowed us to continue to build a nationwide network of reliable solution providers given the complexities of our industry. Without your partnership, creating truly unrivaled experiences, wouldn’t be possible.
I’m grateful for the systems and processes we’ve built over the past several years that gave us the intelligence needed to weather the 2020 storm. The investment we’ve made in our infrastructure has proven valuable, and can now safely be considered battle-tested ????.
I’m grateful for being able to complete InCheck’s brand refresh amidst a pandemic. We’ve seen tremendous focus from our marketing team and outstanding collaboration from external partners. We’re so excited about the updated brand leading the company into 2021 and beyond.
I’m grateful life slowed down a bit, and allowed people and families to reset, recalibrate and spend more time at home together. For me, personally, the pace we were running pre-quarantine was taking its toll. Running around with our kids 7 days a week – from gym to gym, town to town, had become exhausting. The sudden halt gave us the chance to catch our breath and reset.
I’m grateful InCheck successfully transitioned to a work-from-home environment, and how that has expanded our vision for the future. Looking back at the initial transition and the decisiveness of our leadership team to move quickly to a virtual workforce, we crushed it.
I’m grateful for our accounting teams and our banking relationships. The amount of work involved with the PPP application process, the countless hours of research and preparation, and the onslaught of questions have all been taken in stride, with no complaints. I’ve been so impressed with how they’ve answered the call.
I’m grateful for staying afloat in a sea of discomfort. This year has been about living in the uncomfortable zone. But as the saying goes – “There is no growth without discomfort.” And I’ve certainly experienced discomfort, both personally and professionally. The result is a newfound perspective and confidence that is creating new opportunities that will define the future of the company, and I couldn’t be any more excited about that. We’re on the verge of something special, and when I think about the circumstances in which this is all happening, I’m left in amazement.
2020 has continuously reminded me of one of my favorite quotes: “We’re exactly where we’re supposed to be.” When I find that mindset, I find acceptance. When I find acceptance, I’m avoiding resistance. And when I avoid resistance, I find that life and everything in it comes more naturally to me. Everything fits in its proper place. My direction is clear, and I do not worry.
One of the reasons I don’t spend my time in constant worry is because we’ve spent the last four years building a business that is tough as nails, with a team that is fiercely loyal and bleeds orange. In the face of adversity, our team was resilient and pushed forward. I believe in our people and I’m so proud of what we’ve accomplished this year. And that’s why this holiday season is so important – especially Thanksgiving. I encourage you to take some time to reflect on who and what you’re grateful for. Take the opportunity to control your 2020 narrative by making it positive and celebrating the good in your life and the world.
Thank you,
Andy Gallion
Chief Executive Officer