The KFL Story - Kajavala Forestry Limited, Kawerau New Zealand

Summary

The video script narrates the journey of a forestry company from its humble beginnings to becoming a major player, overcoming challenges like a fatal accident. The speaker, driven by a desire for justice and innovation, merges IT with traditional forestry, leading to significant growth. However, realizing the negative impact of a harsh corporate culture, the company shifts focus to a supportive, family-oriented environment, fostering employee empowerment and well-being, which ultimately transforms the company into a nurturing and productive workplace.

Takeaways

• 🌳 The company was founded in the forests, starting with tree planting and evolving into large-scale logging operations.
• 🚜 The business progressed from manual labor to using heavy machinery, including log skidders, haulers, and bulldozers with winches.
• 🎖️ The company was a pioneer in integrating IT with traditional forestry, becoming the first forestry contractor in New Zealand with an IT department.
• 📈 This integration led to rapid growth, increasing the company's workforce from 20 to 170 employees within three years.
• 🔄 The founder experienced a life-changing accident that fueled a desire for revenge and a drive to set things right in the industry.
• 💻 The founder's computing skills were leveraged to differentiate the company in the market, leading to significant growth and success.
• 🛑 Initially, the company's management style was aggressive and unyielding, which resulted in high staff turnover and a challenging work environment.
• 🤝 A shift in company culture occurred, focusing on empowerment, open communication, and creating a positive work environment.
• 🏆 The company values its employees, offering trust, support, and benefits that contribute to a family-oriented and nurturing workplace.
• 🌱 The founder emphasizes that the most important aspect of the business is the people, aiming to improve not just the business but also the lives of the employees.
• 🏗️ The company's transformation has led to increased productivity and a better place to work, with a focus on community upliftment and personal growth.

Q & A

What was the founder's initial activity when he started the company?

The founder initially started planting trees in the forests behind the area where he was based, which later became the first croppel forests.

At what age did the narrator start working in New Zealand and what was his first job?

The narrator started working in New Zealand at the age of 16, working in Murupara in 1963, and was involved in meat hunting on the weekends.

What significant event led to the narrator's shift in perspective after the accident?

The narrator experienced a serious accident while felling trees which resulted in him being paralyzed and his pelvis being severely damaged, leading to a change in his outlook on life and a desire for revenge on the situation.

How did the narrator's company differentiate itself in the market after the accident?

The company differentiated itself by merging computing and traditional forestry, becoming the first forest contract in New Zealand with an IT Department, which helped them grow from 20 to 170 employees in three years.

What was the company's initial management style and how did it affect the staff turnover?

The company initially had a very aggressive and military-like management style, which led to a high staff turnover rate and a negative work environment.

What changes did the company undergo in terms of culture and management in the late 90s and early 2000s?

The company transitioned from a small family business to a large corporate entity with a more rigid and hierarchical management structure, which created a hard and intimidating environment.

How did the company address the issue of negative behavior and backstabbing within the company?

The company encouraged employees to confront or ignore gossip and negative talk, which led to a more positive environment where negative individuals no longer had anyone to feed their negativity to.

What significant changes did the company make to its management structure three years ago?

The company eliminated many of its managers and empowered the workers to do their jobs more autonomously, fostering a culture where everyone had a voice and could contribute to decision-making.

How does the company approach hiring and what values does it prioritize today?

The company now prioritizes the type of person an applicant is over their qualifications or experience, focusing on creating a positive and supportive work environment.

What initiatives has the company implemented to support employee well-being and work-life balance?

The company has introduced Wellness Leave, doubled the government entitlement for leave, provided financial support for dental care, and offered access to independent counselors and life coaches for mindfulness and meditation.

How does the company's focus on people and community impact its overall productivity and success?

By focusing on nurturing people and improving their lives, the company has seen a significant increase in productivity and positive metrics, transforming it into a place that not only produces results but also uplifts the community.