My Employer Actually Cares

Believe it or not I work for a company that practices caring more than policy.

I just read Seth Godin's post for today, Pretending that you care, It actually made me feel really good. Once you read his blog entry for the 27th, you will be asking yourself, why? How could the lack of caring and courtesy he describes make me happy. You're right it is a little depressing, when taken at face value, but when I read something like this I feel proud and happy about my job and the company I work for. Posts like Seth's remind me how special Malibu Boats is and how fortunate I am to work there.

Malibu Boats is World's #1 selling water sports boat. The company was started by Robert Alkema back in 1982. Since that time Bob and the people he employees have worked hard to build the best boat. But the cool thing about Malibu isn't the great boats we build. It's not about the boats. It's about the people.

Starting with Bob, the founder and CEO, the people at Malibu Boats care. We care about each other. We are a family. I have only been at Malibu for the last ten years and in that time I have witnessed countless examples of this caring. (I say "only" because I am still new by Malibu standards.)

About a year after I started at Malibu I went through a divorce. I was 23 and extremely upset. Now in a 500-person company I would expect that the people closest to me would offer sympathy and help, but I never would have imagined that the CEO of the company would care. Bob called me into his office and basically told me everything was going to be ok. He didn't have to. It probably wasn't a smart move as far as "policy" was concerned, but he did it anyway.

The caring is not limited to Malibu employees. It covers everyone in the Malibu Family, which includes boat owners, dealers and vendors. I know this sounds like a PR warm fuzzy, but it's true. We operate as if everyone buying and selling the boats are family. I'm not saying we are perfect. We have had some customer service hiccups, like any company, but the difference is Malibu makes it right. The reaction to these problems is never based on policy. Everything is handled on a case by case basis while showing the customer the compassion and respect we would show our own families.

Don't believe me? Take a look at this thrid-party Malibu owners site. Post something... ask the question about Malibu. Do they care? You'll be amazed by the responses. You may get a few decenting opinions, but if our customer service department gets wind of those people, they will be attended to.

I could list a ton of cool stories about how much Malibu Boats cares, but I think this one says it all. Check out the this post on the Wakeboarder.com forum. Keep in mind that we manufacture and sell new boats. This post is about a boat that is six years old and was purchased used, not from Malibu.

Thanks for bringing this up, Seth. Writing this post reminded me how fun it is to work for a company who cares.

More Than a Baby Mama

My ambition, creativity and curiosity didn't fly out of my womb with my kids. I am still the same person I was before I was a mama. Don't get me wrong, my life is better now that I have a family, but my kids and my husband don't define me. They are a part of me, a big part of me, but there is more here. And I don't think I should feel guilty because I like the parts of me that are not about being a mother and a wife. If I had to choose among the versions of me, I would choose my family, hands down. Luckily, I don't have to choose. None of us do. We can have it all. I am a more than a baby mama!

When Your Chopping for Charity There's No Drama

When Your Chopping for Charity There's No Drama
Originally uploaded by AmyMauzy

Well, I finally did it today. I have been meaning to get my hair cut for several months now and today was finally the day. You've got to be asking, "What the heck took you so long?" Let me see if I can explain it simply. About a month ago I had a baby. Enough said?

Ok, so you need a little more explanation than that? The last time I had my hair cut was about 18 months ago. Yes, I am a woman? But I am very lazy. I hate messing with my hair. So most of the time it is long and I do not do anything but wash and dry it. Sometimes I put it in a ponytail. And the only time I get it cut is when it gets long enough to donate it to Locks of Love. (www.locksoflove.org)

Hair dressers are amazed that I am not more emotional when my hair is being lopped off. Well... This is the third time I have donated my hair. I am used to it by now. Plus, the hair is going to a really good cause. That makes the separation really easy. It is the least I can do to help children with permanent hair loss. And so today I begin the process again. I will let my hair grow out and donate it again. No drama.