Embracing New Technology
When I started with Spectrum, the forest was my office, trees were my currency and, in those days, the only numbers I tracked were the number of trees I put in the ground each day. In those forests I found my friends, I found my husband, and I found myself. I planted my last tree in 2008, and decided it was time to come out of the bush and plant some roots in the community that I would call my home. Entering the office environment, I found my calling in the world of maps. I took a break from Spectrum to return to school and complete my education in the field that I knew I was meant for, geographic information system (GIS). Fast forward over a decade later, to the age of information. I now work as the GIS coordinator for the very company that saw me through my early adulthood, behind a computer screen and relying on technology to get my job done. In the fast-paced field of STEM, keeping up with advancements in technology is crucial. It’s easy to be left behind and you must stay on your game, in the know and relevant. That’s what makes my job so interesting; I create through problem solving and transforming vision into innovation. When I was offered the opportunity to help Spectrum integrate our systems into the Wright Service Corp. (WSC) environment, I was thrilled. I had no doubt that it would be challenging, but also rewarding, to bring opportunities to our company, in the form of change.
SPECTRUM
Spectrum is a dynamic organization of entrepreneurs, creators and innovators. Much of our success has been born of creative solutions for ever-changing problems. We have had many early adopters of technology, some of whom introduced new apps to the forestry and invasive plant management sectors, which are now considered industry standard. Our clients are often impressed by our big ideas and how we’ve integrated new tools into the work we do.
CHANGE
For some, change is as good as rest. For others, change is disruptive. For our company, change has been constant over the last couple of years. From staff changes, to pandemics, to a full overhaul of our systems and network. Our team has had to learn how to thrive and transform through times of adversity. It is important to acknowledge the challenges that come with rapid advancement and unforeseeable circumstances. Change management is tricky at the best of times and that is not where we are living. We are in a time of uncertainty, many of us are learning how to live in a disconnected world. Face-to-face training and opportunities to spend time together have been replaced with video communication and in-person, distanced, mask-wearing meetings. The loss of human connection is not unique to our organization, but we cannot minimize its effects. I think it’s worth noting that Spectrum is pulling through brilliantly as we get ready for the busy season to begin; implementing new processes, learning the difference between OneDrive and SharePoint, and getting familiar with a whole new set of apps that will help us get our jobs done. These tools will provide an added layer of connectivity for our team, and they will keep us current with industry partners and stakeholders who, like us, are relying more and more on technology to connect.
MOVING FORWARD AS A TEAM
As we slowly loosen our grip on all the brilliant workarounds our team has created throughout the years, we are realizing the full potential of our new software. We have embraced Teams, which has been a survival tool for employees to connect with team members and managers, and to access support on an as needed basis. I know that Spectrum will be contributing to the pool of knowledge and innovation at WSC. As we become more comfortable working in our new environment, the team will do as they always do – bring fresh ideas and perspectives on how we can do our work better. I want to say “hats off” to the Spectrum team. Thanks for your patience and perseverance through the migration and integration. And finally, a huge thanks to the WSC IT team for supporting us through these transitions.
