Essential To Our Customers And Community
Coronavirus is forcing small businesses in communities across the country to make difficult decisions and adapt as government mandates and markets change. Every company must deal with these issues in their own way.
Harmony Enterprises (right) and Harmony Kids Learning Center (left) are open as essential businesses.
As businesses deemed essential by the State of MN, both Harmony Enterprises and Harmony Kids Learning Center are no exception to this adaptation. Harmony Enterprises provides waste and recycling equipment and service that are needed now more than ever in grocery, retail, medical, residential, and industrial markets. Harmony Kids Learning Center (HKLC) offers educational-based child care for essential workers, such as first responders, health care professionals, grocery workers, as well as for members of our greater community.
During the entirety of this crisis, both businesses have found ways to navigate these uncharted waters to continue to provide the same quality products and services our partners have come to expect from us. We value our dedicated employees and thank our loyal customers for their continued support during these tying times.
Here are some things we are doing at Harmony to meet the new challenges presented by Covid-19:
Working Remotely
For staff that is able to work remotely, Harmony Enterprises has made accommodations with technology so that each employee is able to their necessary work from home. This reduces the amount of employees in proximity to each other throughout our offices and production facility. Members of our accounting, sales, purchasing, and customer service teams are all utilizing this technology to continue their good work.
Our entire team continues to engage with each other, customers, and vendors through the use of teleconferencing, utilizing a variety of apps available to us. Although there is nothing like meeting in person, we have found that we are still able to communicate in meaningful and thought-provoking ways, while continuing the important job of nurturing our relationships.
Harmony Kids’ 4/5 Preschool teacher, Mrs. Kinzee and website manager, Diane Hernandez started an online learning program called “Seesaw”. Seesaw is an app that allows students and teachers to engage with one another online. Teachers can send activities, draw pictures, send videos, and take pictures to show their students and the students can do the same. This is beneficial to the children at the learning center to miss their friends currently at home with parents.
Additional Distancing & Cleaning Measures
At Harmony Enterprises, staff has relocated to ensure that all are staying within social distancing guidelines. Our production staff continues to be vigilant with the distancing in their work areas as well as their processes for handling products and equipment.
At HKLC, students and teachers are screened for temperatures upon entering for the safety of all involved. Staff also wears gloves for additional protection.
At both facilities, our staff has increased the frequency of cleaning of tables, equipment, bathrooms, kitchen areas, and more. Any unessential vendors or guests are not permitted in either building at this time. HKLC uses Lysol Hydrogen Peroxide on door knobs, walls, window seals, and all gym toys multiple times a day. They also purchased hand sanitizer made by our local distillery, Harmony Spirits. This has been made available for staff and parents alike.
Returning To Our Roots
Harmony Enterprises was founded in 1962 as a manufacturer of sewn canvas products like our bikini cane chair, ice fishing houses, tents, and roof lifting systems. Recently, some of our staff, led by Office Manger, Lana Soppa, and Customer Service Representative, Vicki Musel, made masks for students and staff at HKLC. Our employees have pulled together to help protect one another and remain safe and healthy.
Honoring Our Commitment To Career, Community, & Culture
Another way that Harmony has risen to the occasion is by honoring our Core Values and our Core Purpose of Career, Community, & Culture. It is much easier to understand and take action when it comes to cleaning, social distancing, and remote working than it is to address the potential mental health toll that this pandemic is taking on all of us. In order to relieve some of this stress, Harmony Enterprises and HKLC both offered all of their staff Harmony Family Time Off in the month of April. Each employee is eligible to take two full days from work to be with their family and “recharge their batteries.” This will enable our employees to remain focused and energized as we move into better days ahead!
How Can We Help?
Steve Cremer, President, and Ramon Hernandez, VP of Operations, Harmony Enterprises
Whether yours is an essential business that is continuing to operate, one that has been scaled back due to reduced demand or income, or one that is temporarily shut down due to government regulations, we are here to help in any way we can. We have learned that for many, this “down time” has been a good time to re-visit waste and recycling projects or due much needed maintenance on equipment without any down-time to interrupt normal operations. From equipment manufacturing, delivery, installation, or service, Harmony Enterprises stands ready to assist you now and into the future. Please do not hesitate to contact us at (507) 886-6666 or Contact Us today!
