Memo Example #4 LBD ASSOCIATES, LLC

ICM IN-HOUSE MEMO #4

The following was written to the employees at ICM Laboratories.
Most were recent college graduates who needed to appreciate community values.

Memo to All
March 16, 1986
Subject: ICM and You (Hopefully perfect together)

In the past few weeks, a couple of events have occurred which require comment. Specifically, weekend parking at Park's Mall and interaction with our bank.

First, let me state that I have no interest whatsoever in what occurs in anyone's personal life outside of ICM. This is entirely your own business, and believe me, I wish to keep it that way. However, there are occasions when, outside the ICM environment, we are all looked upon as belonging to or being associated with ICM. This can be both good and bad. Let me explain.

ICM is growing as you see. Everyone's efforts are helping to produce a much bigger and better ICM. As ICM grows, it becomes visible to the outside world. We are no longer a small entity that is somewhat obscure. Many people have heard about us, and the word is spreading. But this means that we are all being looked at closely, and that, as a bigger business, we begin to have some community responsibility.

Here at Park's Mall, the other tenants know too well that we are becoming large. We use a lot of parking spaces; we have a presence that makes our neighbors here uncomfortable. They wonder about our work. It isn't a secret that we analyze pollution. The AETC trucks come here, and we are always loading and unloading chemical drums. We discard "heavy duty" trash that isn't the same as paper waste. Certainly our neighbors see our hood exhaust and wonder about chemicals, etc.

Hence it has become important that we always maintain a professional appearance to the outside. We don't wish to give anyone the opportunity to criticize us because of poor behavior or lack of respect for our neighbors. We have to be responsible especially when we can all be directly linked to ICM.

In the instance of weekend parking for social gatherings, there's nothing wrong with congregating here. But when asked to park behind the building so that other merchants can have their customers park in front, I don't feel that this is an unreasonable request. Still, some of our people harassed John at the hardware store needlessly. Remember that John has been very helpful to ICM, and most of the other tenants here, as well, have assisted us when necessary.

Consider last week's incident at the bank. A deposit tube from the drive-in was escorted away by one of our employees. The bank knew exactly where to find the tube. It really wasn't worth the poor publicity ICM got from the bank that has financed all of our growth. All of our jobs here and our futures depend upon our ability to finance new projects and equipment. Know one has to lend us the money, and if we come off poorly, then we all lose.

My point is simple. Outside of ICM, I have no interest in how you act or present yourselves to the world. But as soon as you become associated with ICM in the outside world, then you should reflect upon your actions. We have all worked hard here to make this place into what it is, and hopefully, what it is to become. We have to become more image conscious as well. Our desire to grow and become one of the biggest and certainly the best environmental lab in the state means that we need to aware of our image to the public.

Just ponder this. I am sure that we would all much rather be viewed as being very professional and responsible rather than a bunch of uncaring, snobbish rabble that happened to luck out.

Rich

LBD ASSOCIATES, LLC
Randolph, New Jersey USA
973.895.5207
salevine@lbdassociates.com