Communication and Productivity

We intend to grow by continuously improving productivity.

We encourage open communications and respond to criticisms and questions in a sensitive and intelligent way. We want our actions a decisions to be guided by sound reasoning and facts, not shaded opinions or distorted facts used to justify or rationalize poor judgement or failure.

We intend to grow by continuously improving productivity. We will constantly measure our productivity and include improvement programs in six primary areas:

• Employee Recruitment
• Training Programs
• Organizational Structure
• Policies and Procedures
• The Working Environment
• Departmental Tools (Resources)

We believe consistent profitable growth is always obtainable. It comes after mixing hard work, intelligence and team effort.

ACTION POINT: Work hard, smart and as a team.

Article 8.3 Financial Performance

We must not limit our goals, but invest

Financial performance will be judged by such factors as:

• Sales performance
• Percent sales growth
• Return on investment
• Net profit to assets
• Net profit to net worth
• Profit margin performance
• Net profit to sales
• Gross profit to sales - stock sales - direct sales
• Overall operating expenses
• Total operating expenses to gross profit
• Compensation expenses to gross profit
• Non-people expenses to gross profit
• Functional area expense control
• Selling expense to gross profit
• Delivery expense to gross profit
• Warehouse expense to gross profit
• Occupancy expense to gross profit
• General and administrative expense to gross profit
• Functional cost per invoice
• Functional cost per delivery
• Overall people productivity
• Sale per employee
• Gross margin per employee
• Average compensation per employee
• Functional staffing as a percent of sales

We must not wait for a perfect environment, it won't happen. That ship won't come in. Totally safe bets aren't available for the achievers. We must release our energies. Rather than drift through life, we must pursue our goals. Rather than doubt our abilities, we must trust in ourselves and the principles we hold firm. We must not limit our goals, but invest and give to achieve the success we desire.

ACTION POINT: Invest, give, achieve.

Article 8.2 Technological Achievement

Using proven techniques to assure performance is a must in today's highly competitive environment.

Technological achievement will be judged by factors such as:

• Design and specification sales.
• Sales growth in application products.
• Technological expertise of in house sales people.

Corporate strategy is a long run, time phased plan designed to achieve a high rate of return on investment, a market position so advantageous that competition can retaliate only over an extended time interval and at a prohibitive cost.

Using proven techniques to assure performance is a must in today's highly competitive environment. Most firms will not adhere to these guidelines leaving pathways for committed firms with clear vision to be consistent leaders.

ACTION POINT: Our style will be such to ensure bright futures for all.

Article 8.1 Customer Satisfaction

We will measure our success in three broad categories. They are customer satisfaction, technological achievement and financial performance.

Customer satisfaction will be judged by factors such as:

• Shipping and fill rates
• Percentage of back orders
• Market share growth
• Customer retention
• Credit and return data

ACTION POINT: Satisfy customers in the above categories and measure their retention.

Article 8. Vision

We are going to be one the most successful corporations in our industry.

Our vision is our dream. We should follow our hopes and dreams. We must know what we want to accomplish before we can conceptualize our vision. What would be your top desire relative to a business entity? What would be your top goal relative to your position in our company?

There would be many different answers, but we could certainly agree upon "to be successful" if we understand what this statement really means. Success or being successful, is a title that requires a positive contribution to others. Think of any successful person or business and you should be able to quickly name the positive contribution to people or society. Be it manufacturing, services, medicine, science, etc. Success must then be recognized as a demanding honor. It is not acquired once for all time. It often leaves as quickly as it arrives. Success is not a permanent achievement, but always a worthwhile goal. A goal that can be accomplished by anyone in any position, or any business venture in any industry.

We accept this challenge as our primary vision. We are going to be one the most successful corporations in our industry. We are going to obtain the image in our marketplace as one of the most positive contributors in our industry, in turn benefiting greatly our employees, our customers, and our vendors.

We will measure success in three broad categories. They are customer satisfaction, technological achievement, and financial performance. Each category will be inspected using industry standards or self imposed goals.

ACTION POINT: Strive for success personally and for your business.

Article 7.9 Profitability

Therefore, it has the right and the responsibility to make a fair return.

An unprofitable corporation does nobody good, not society, not its employees, not itself; Therefore, it has the right and the responsibility to make a fair return.

The use of our profitability will be for re-investment in our company, return to its valued employees, and to support charities.

ACTION POINT: Pursue profitability at every level.

Article 7.8 Technology

Our people must value this competitive edge.

Technological superiority has always been a high value for FSG. The lighting industry is made up of a wide range of technological based applications. The effective development and application of technology is and has been central to the success of our company.

The effective use requires sound research efforts and quality training programs. Our people must value this competitive edge.

We will strive to achieve and maintain a competitive technological position across our diverse industry.

ACTION POINT: Look for and embrace technologies that will sustain a competitive advantage.

Market Sensitivity

We strive to be sensitive to the needs of the marketplace...


Market sensitivity involves a constant focus on the needs and requirements of customers.

Market sensitivity demands intense customer contact at all levels of the business. We strive to be sensitive to the needs of the marketplace and to meet those needs.


ACTION POINT: Ask your customers what they like and want.

Article 7.6 Innovation

Innovation flourishes when new ideas and approaches are nurtured rather than discouraged...

Innovation is the generation of new ideas, new products, new services, and new ways of doing things. This is critical to our continued vitality. Innovation flourishes when new ideas and approaches are nurtured rather than discouraged, when a positive work environment is created, when risk taking is supported, and when experimentation is encouraged.

We must in our pursuit include the collection of competitive data. Comparison of FSG performance to the most effective competitors is critical. Our goal is to exceed the best competitors in those critical factors that are relevant to the strategy of each business unit.

Through ongoing competitive analysis, we will strive to understand our best competitors to ensure that we compete effectively.

ACTION POINT: Know and understand what the best in your industry do well, then strive to exceed them.

Article 7.5 Quality

We will strive to make quality a basic goal of all businesses and activities.

Quality is delivery of products and services which fully meet customer requirements and expectations. All of us have customer relations who expect and deserve high quality.

We will strive to make quality a basic goal of all businesses and activities. A goal which we do not compromise.

ACTION POINT: Know and understand customer expectations and then meet them.

Article 7.4 Envisioning The Future

Not daring to take the risk of making the new happen, takes by default the greater risk of being surprised by what happened.

We must understand change and accept change as a way to update the old and bring in new creative ideas. Forming a vision calls for a capacity to take risks, to literally suffer change. This is distinctive among market leaders.

Forming a commitment to vision means giving up the present for a limbo state, somewhere between what is and what will be. Limbo can be a shifty, treacherous place. For one thing it is often chaotic. In fact it is the epitome of the ambiguous. We must tolerate inevitable resistance, and in the name of the vision, hold true to the uncertain course.

Not daring to take the risk of making the new happen, takes by default the greater risk of being surprised by what happened.

Current success will be achieved through the willingness of all the FSG team to look to the future rather than dwell in the past, to see the world as it is rather than as we would like it to be, and to move toward our goals boldly.

ACTION POINT: Be bold and endeavor to make new things happen.

Article 7.3 Employee Involvement and Teamwork

...working together to achieve common goals and will enhance the quality of life at work for each of us.

Employee involvement is a way of managing which emphasizes teamwork, the sharing of the information, creation of opportunities to contribute ideas and participate in problem solving.

Teamwork is defined as work done by a number of associates each doing a part but all subordinating personal prominence to the efficiency of the whole.

Employee involvement will enable all FSG employees to contribute their ideas an creative energies to support he continued growth of the corporation. It will also foster working together to achieve common goals and will enhance the quality of life at work for each of us.

ACTION POINT: Solicit, use and encourage the creative energies of your team to strengthen the organization.

Article 7.2 Work Ethics

We will strive always to be the best we can be.

We see work as a privilege. Our freedom to pursue with great aggression any endeavor, any way we see profitable can be a very rewarding experience. Diligent work is the way to a fat soul.

We will strive always to be the best we can be. We will judge ourselves not by what we have accomplished, but rather by what we should have accomplished with the abilities that we have. Remember where much is given, much will be expected.

It is mot important to enjoy our jobs, and the feeling of true accomplishment.

ACTION POINT: Work with vigor and joy.

Article 7.1 People

When all else becomes mundane or boring we can still cherish our good times, still enjoy the relationships we have developed.

Our greatest strength and asset is the quality and commitment of our people. Because the future of our company depends upon our people and their continued pride in and commitment to FSG, they must be valued above all.

This world is built on relationships. Our lives will only be meaningful because of these relationships. How we choose to react, and what we wish to give, will determine our fulfillment, happiness, even our joy.

Siding with good and never with evil is our desire. Our greatest possession would be a heart that would always be patient, always be kind, never jealous, never boastful, never self righteous, never rude, never self seeking, not easily angered, not holding grudges, never delighting in evil or oppression, always protecting, always hoping. This is our wish for everyone, and a surefire start to building strong meaningful relationships.

When all else becomes mundane or boring we can still cherish our good times, still enjoy the relationships we have developed. This commitment will ensure meaningful jobs, good working conditions, open two-way communication, fair compensation, opportunities for growth and career development, effective and supportive supervision, job satisfaction, recognition and reward for outstanding contributions, and equal opportunity for all.

The value of relationship is fundamental to a comfortable environment and to a valiant pursuit of any vision undertaken. We pray our actions will reflect our individual belief in this most important principle.

ACTION POINT: Build meaningful relationships.

Article 7 FSG Values

They must be integrated into each and every day.

Our values are our opinions of what we consider to be good, bad, right, or wrong. They are the root of every decision.

The list of values here are good, moral, fundamental beliefs that we hold very dear. We believe they are critically important to our success as a company. Because we believe them to be what is good and what is right, we reserve the right to require all employees to adopt them as well. They must be integrated into each and every day.

These value statements should be reviewed from time to time to refresh our minds and to re-commit ourselves to do what is right and good for our company. These values are enduring and are meant to guide us through our daily work and our lives as we spend them together.

These values are:

• People
• Work Ethics
• Employee involvement and teamwork
• Envisioning the Future
• Quality
• Innovation
• Market Sensitivity
• Technology
• Profitability

ACTION POINT: Embrace and employ enduring values.

6.5.1 Faith, Understanding and Knowledge

To apply faith is to put it to work.

Faith is the confident assurance that something we want is going to happen. It is the certainty that what we hope for is waiting for us, even through we can not see it ahead. (Hebrews 11:1)

To apply faith is to put it to work. We all must have faith in our God, ourselves, our country, our leaders, our company. Some things are beyond our comprehension. This is no reason for unfaithfulness.

We believe (have faith) in things because of three principles. We believe in an authority figure, such as our parents. Secondly, because of logical reasoning, such as mathematics. And the third way we believe is from personal experience. Strong faith can be the most powerful force on earth.

Knowledge is a very important requirement of profitability and productivity. Knowledge must be continuously expanded and should never be static. Then it must be shared. Successful people are educators. They are valued as resources for ideas and know how.

Understanding is the interpretation and application of wisdom. Our ability as a group to understand and apply the principles of wisdom will establish our continued existence.

ACTION POINT: Use faith, knowledge and understanding to establish your future.

6.4.4 Peter Principle

Have you closely examined the required skills.

The Peter Principle does exist. We are limited based on inherent God given talents, acquired skills, energy level, internal desire, and what the mind can comprehend and apply.

To go beyond this limit does no one good, not the individual or the company. To find this limit let your conscience guide you. Do you really desire the challenge or is it something else that is driving you. Have you closely examined the required skills. Move slowly and cautiously. You must be honest with yourself. Are you happy.

ACTION POINT: Understand your limits.

6.4.3 Continuous Training

Acquiring new skills to meet the demands of technological change is very necessary in today's business environment.

Constant intake of new material and refresher course of old material is required to meet an exceed our goals. Acquiring new skills to meet the demands of technological change is very necessary in today's business environment.

Without a willingness and desire in this area we will fall short of the high expectations. four ourselves and our company.

ACTION POINT: Make learning a lifelong habit.

6.4.2 Art of Communication

Many times what we communicate is not really what we mean.

Accurate communication is close to impossible verbally. A person remembers very little of what he hears. There is little wonder why distortion and confusion abound with verbal communication. Written documentation is a must for communication to have any chance of accurate transfer.

We must also be aware that the sender has their own problems. Many times what we communicate is not really what we mean. Many times it is not effective, it does not get the job done. As we try to communicate both parties have inherent responsibilities. If at all possible, communicate in writing.

ACTION POINT: Communicate clearly both verbally and with the written word.

6.3.3 There are no secrets

Wise people understand this and act accordingly.

Two things are true about groups of people. There are not secrets and word travels fast. Wise people understand this and act accordingly.

• Don't tell your secrets to a gossip unless you want them broadcast to the world. (Proverbs 20:19)

ACTION POINT: Guard your tongue.