In the dynamic world of Mazzella Companies, individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences come together to contribute their unique perspectives and drive meaningful change. Ashley, a dedicated member of the organization for nearly 12 years, shares her inspiring journey and the role she plays as a vital part of the Quality, Safety, Training, and Reliability (QSTR) team.
What led you to Mazzella Companies?
Ashley began her career at Mazzella Companies almost 12 years ago in the synthetics room as a sewer. She shared that through working her way up she was able to see how all the pieces fit together in the manufacturing process. “Learning how the production schedule works in real life, being hands on with the production, went even further when I eventually became the Master Scheduler on the floor.”
What inspired you to begin working with the QSTR team?
Ashley shared that the inspiration that led her from Master Scheduler to the QSTR team was primarily about the work itself, but that, “it was very double edged. I loved continuous improvement and quality, but I also really loved the people that worked in the department.”
With the previous administrator having been off-site, when the position opened, Ashley felt her background, experience, and on-site availability would help the team connect not only with each other but also with other departments – building bridges necessary for improved collaboration.
What do you believe is the role of the QSTR Administrator?
“I think it’s about setting your team and company up for success”, says Ashley. “It could be something more minor like sending out an email or it could be something more major like taking on a project. Leaning in with an attitude of humility and servitude will really help you get opportunities to learn.”
What is a project you’re working on that excites you?
Working on the revamp of Mazzella Companies’ on-the-job-training, Ashley shared that she’s been collaborating a lot lately with Lifelong Learning, “so when you say that you can do the cut table in Cleveland, it means you’re doing the same thing at all of our locations – that we’re all using the same documentation and lists.”
Ashley went on to say that before this project, there were a lot of gaps in the process, with a lot of forms that simply required a checked box, “but I think when we can develop a form that actually gives you a checklist as a trainer, showing exactly what needs to be gone over, what the subsets of the skills are, we’ll get more to the root cause of problems.”
What is the biggest challenge facing the QSTR department today?
Simultaneously a challenge and a blessing, Ashley shared that the team is full of ideas – but has room for improvement on getting others on board. “I think as a team we need to get better at getting the energy behind an idea to push it to completion. Our team does a wonderful job of building up on tools and processes, but it doesn’t mean anything if other people don’t believe in them.”
How do you stay connected to team members around the country?
Ashley shared that the while the company provides many different tools to connect, including email, telephone, and Microsoft Teams, the distance means that you have to be more purposeful in reaching out more often. “Even something as simple as after you send over a document, following up and asking, ‘are you good? Do you need any help?’. Most people are good to go, but some people say, ‘I’m so glad you reached out because what you sent made no sense’.”
How do you stay on top of laws and regulations that apply to your industry?
Ashley shared that the team’s biggest resource right now is an online software called Techstreet, which houses up-to-date industry standards for everyone to easily access. In addition, Ashley shared that Mazzella Companies’ Marketing department is an invaluable asset to the team staying apprised of industry standard changes and trends with their Lifting and Rigging YouTube channel and Learning Center.
What professional podcasts or books can you recommend that have helped you on your career path?
One podcast that holds a special place in Ashley’s heart is WorkLife with Adam Grant. As an organizational psychologist, Adam takes listeners on a captivating journey inside the minds of some of the world’s most remarkable professionals. With a focus on exploring the science of making work more fulfilling, the podcast’s description perfectly captures its essence. In addition to his podcast, Adam Grant co-authored a book called Option B with Sherly Sandberg, the renowned author of Lean In.
Another remarkable book she discovered is Backable by Suneel Gupta. In this compelling read, Gupta emphasizes that success doesn’t solely rely on talent, connections, or ideas. Instead, he asserts that the ability to persuade others to believe in your potential and take a chance on you is the true key to achieving success. Gupta’s personal journey of self-discovery deeply resonated with Ashley, “It was his journey of how he had the realization that there’s value in being a galvanizer and getting others to buy into his ideas.”
What advice would you give someone looking to join the QSTR team?
Ashley said that at the crux of it all, one needs to, “be willing to take on challenges and put yourself out there to help people.” Ashley went on to share that if you’re willing to help others with projects or tasks, it can be a great growth opportunity.
She says that this holds especially true if it’s in an area that you’re not familiar with or a task you wouldn’t normally do, “It gets you a lot of exposure. Exposure to different parts of the company but also it gets people familiar with your skill sets.”
Moving in the Right Direction
Ashley shared that it’s all about helping to bring value to the company and make it better. “When we leave a situation, or an area, I feel like we have moved it in the right direction, and I think that’s something my team really strives for and that’s something I’m really proud of.”
