This month on The Brand Herald, Landon sits down with Rachel Major, the HR Project Manager at Service Metal Products, for a conversation as unique as it is insightful. They dive into how Rachel’s background in government and intelligence has surprisingly prepared her for the world of HR and marketing.
Landon and Rachel start with a humorous look at the pitfalls of AI, sharing a story about how ChatGPT inaccurately identified Rachel as the "president" of her company. This serves as a cautionary tale: while AI is a powerful tool, it's not a substitute for human nuance. Rachel shares how Service Metal, a third-generation family business and a leading B2B distributor of pipes, valves, and fittings (PVF), has built a company culture through a focus on internal branding. Their core values—“trust in every connection” and “easier and faster”—aren’t just slogans; they are woven into daily conversations and behaviors.
Rachel highlights the vital role of branded clothing and promotional items in enhancing the employee experience. Rather than being just a uniform, these items are a way for employees to express their pride and commitment. The focus is on offering high-quality, desirable gear that employees want to wear, even on their own time.
This strong culture also aids in recruitment efforts, as the company often fills positions by leveraging its existing team’s network. Landon and Rachel conclude with a discussion on the critical balance between transactional relationships and relational ones. Service Metal has mastered this by developing a proprietary e-commerce portal that makes transactions “easier and faster” while ensuring customers can always connect with a person when they need to. It's a prime example of using technology to enhance, not replace, human connection and trust. Enjoy!
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction and AI Misconceptions
02:52 Transitioning from Government to Private Sector
05:37 Understanding Service Metal Products
08:30 The Importance of Internal Branding
11:19 Company Values and Culture
14:08 Navigating Industry Challenges
16:54 Recruitment Strategies and Customer Acquisition
19:49 The Role of Branded Clothing
22:35 Balancing Transactional and Relational Business
25:37 Conclusion and Future Outlook
Resources:
LinkedIn (Service Metal Products)
