The call center supervisor, Jose, or Joey, has direct experience talking with our customers and helping them get floors the Empire Way. We spoke with Joey to learn exactly what drives him to be one of Empire’s Best. Keep reading to see exactly why he deserved this accolade. 

Getting to Know Empire’s Best

Jose “Joey” Vigil

Helping customers across inbound customer service and chat, Jose has been a vital part of the Empire Today community and goes above and beyond to assist the team. Stepping outside of his duties during the pandemic and in light of various stay-at-home orders, Joey led work remote initiatives across all call center departments to help agents and supervisors work remotely. From creating aides to assist in setting up home equipment to mentoring and coaching supervisors and associates across departments – even in his free time – until they’ve “got it”, Joey is a clear example of what it means to be an Empire team member: caring for both customers and his teammates. To top it off, Joey follows up as a mentor and coach, better preparing associates to resolve similar issues with confidence in the future.

How long have you been working at Empire?

I have been working for Empire Today for 4 and a half years. 

What made you want to work at Empire Today?

Having heard how reputable Empire Today was, I was excited to bring my customer service experience to the table and grow with the company.

What is your favorite part about working at Empire?

My favorite part about working at Empire Today is the environment. We have such a great team, starting at the top, management provides such great support which promotes good morale. This trickles down to supervisors like myself and allows us to pass it along to our customer care associates and provide such a positive/productive customer service department. Also interacting with all the different personalities and new hires I come across during Training. It makes everyone worth it when you have the underdogs who doubt themselves and assist in their growth/belief they develop in themselves. I can honestly say I love coming into work and love working for Empire Today. 

What is the one thing you are most excited about for the coming year?

What I am most excited about for this coming year is to continue improving our work from home/virtual training program we have in place, and smoothly transition more of our markets to ERP. So proud of all the efforts on everyone’s part to adapt and overcome all the changes taking place in the world. We have been successful so far and we must continue to persevere and improve our business. 

What is your motto or personal mantra?

 It would have to be, “The tiny seed knew that in order to grow it needed to be dropped in dirt, covered in darkness, and struggle to reach the light.” – Sandra Kring.

What three traits define you and how you work?

Three traits that define me and how I work are Determined, Empathetic, and Adaptable.

The post Empire’s Best Winner August 2020 appeared first on Empire Today Blog.

Emanuel Molina, Turk Boyd, and Natalie Mastroianni each have their own way of supporting their team and have gone above and beyond to make sure everyone was on the right track. Get to know what keeps them motivated and the reasons for their nominations.

Getting to Know Empire’s Best

February

Emanuel Molina

An installer in our Philadelphia market, Emanuel is the shining example of a team player. When other installers don’t understand something, he steps in without being asked and will help with translation, so the installer knows what is needed and our team knows the correct information was provided. Emanuel will also help fellow installers who are having trouble filling out paperwork without making them feel bad but instead uplifts them. Not only is he a rock star installer, but he’s also a great help at load out! Emanuel’s nomination concludes with “We are lucky to have him as part of our great installation crew here in Philadelphia”

How long have you been working with Empire?

I have been working with Empire Today for about 7 Years, I first started in New York market prior to move to Philadelphia Market, which I already have 5 Years working in Philly.

What made you want to work with Empire Today?

What made me work with Empire was the reputation and the name that has been established already, how easy it is to get work every day, and the weekly payments that are always on time. Also, my dad has been working with Empire for more than 15+ years, so I learned the ethic and work from him and made it easy for me to continue the work with Empire Today.

What is your favorite part about working with Empire?

My favorite part about working with Empire is the ability to work every day and closer to home. Also, the stock availability and the knowledge of the people that work in the market makes it easier to work with you guys. The payment is pretty good compared to other places, and how our managers listen when a concern emerges.

What is the one thing you are most excited about for the coming year?

I think the most exciting part for next year is that our health will be better since Covid-19 and that more jobs will come in. Our health is the most important thing of all.

What is your motto or personal mantra?

Do my best in anything I do no matter whatever is in front of me. Every job is new and exciting, since I do my best to make sure our customers are happy and satisfied with the work done.

What three traits define you and how you work?

Clean, Efficient, Responsible

so, we don’t have a call back for anything unless they decide to have more work done.

March

Turk Boyd:

You know you’re doing an outstanding job as a manager when you’re nominated twice: the first by a Houston installer, the second by an employee in the Houston market. Turk leads by example by stepping up and helping to load materials for the installers in order to speed up loadout. Not only does Turk go above and beyond to make Empire a great place to work for the installers to work, but he does his best to put the customers first.

How long have you been working at Empire?

September will be 14-yrs.

What made you want to work at Empire Today?

I installed flooring with my uncle at a young age.

What is your favorite part about working at Empire?

Hearing the excitement in a customer’s voice after their install has been completed and working with Empire associates.

What is the one thing you are most excited about for the coming year?

Empire introducing new product lines.

What is your motto or personal mantra?

Treating every customer the same, regardless of what the issue is.

What three traits define you and how you work?

Commitment, Integrity, and Respect

July

Natalie Mastroianni

Natalie was also nominated twice. Her first nomination was for her terrific performance as an Installation Coordinator despite limited market resources. She also helped in other areas of the business, especially with the team members who were working remotely and needed help from someone in the office.  She was also nominated by the market team in Boston for literally going the extra mile and traveling to Boston for two weeks to help them when the market had virtually no installation team! Natalie’s will to help for the good of her team and the satisfaction of customers is what it truly means to be a part of Empire Today.

How long have you been working at Empire?

I’ve worked with the company for a little over a year consecutively, I’ve worked in total for empire for 4 years.

What made you want to work at Empire Today?

I knew other people who worked for the company that raved about the culture and benefits.

What is your favorite part about working at Empire?

My favorite part of working at empire is the constant energy and action. There’s never a dull moment.

What is the one thing you are most excited about for the coming year?

New beginnings and new systems to help make satisfying customers even easier.

What is your motto or personal mantra?

“We’re all mad here”

What three traits define you and how you work?

Three traits would be – Diligent, goal-oriented, and slightly obsessive over small details.

The post Empire’s Best Award Winners February – July 2020 appeared first on Empire Today Blog.

As team members, we have the opportunity to see how hard folks work—but not all of our customers, associates, or contractors have the same opportunity. So, once a month, we will recognize two outstanding employees and contractors who embody the company’s values and help deliver on Empire’s Customer Promise, Mission, and Values.

So for our January winners, please join me in congratulating April Wilson and Eduin Almonte!

April Wilson is part of our Customer Delivery team, serving as an installation specialist in Denver. She was nominated by her supervisor, Beth Mills, who is the office manager. Here’s what Beth had to say about why April is one of Empire’s best:

“April has been going above and beyond. Another associate is out on a leave of absence, and April has been training on how to close out jobs; she has been in the warehouse every day after she is done with her morning process. April is an outstanding employee always, but she has really stepped it up this last month.”

Eduin is also part of our Customer Delivery team as a warehouse associate in South Hackensack/Carlstadt. He’s impressed his fellow employees by putting in the work to help ensure that he is knowledgeable about our products and warehouse operations. Eduin was nominated by Roberto Vera, who is a warehouse lead. Here’s what Roberto had to say about why Eduin deserved recognition:

“I’m nominating Eduin because his continued desire to learn and active daily engagement has taken him from basics to now actively controlling our carpet tile inventory and processing returns.”

At Empire, we believe our valued employees and contractors are what make Empire such a great company, and we are so appreciative of their dedication and hard work. Ultimately, it’s our employees and contractors that make us, us. So, let’s learn a little more about our two Empire’s Best winners for January and give them some well deserved recognition!

Getting to know Empire’s Best

Eduin Almonte:

How long have you been working at/with Empire?

1 year and a half.

What made you want to work at/with Empire Today?

I was at a down point looking for a job, then the commercial played on my phone, then a person called me and said I should apply to empire today. I have no regrets.

What is your favorite part about working at/with Empire?

Learning new systems and training new people.

What is the one thing you are most excited about for the coming year?

Load out 2.0 and make it a better environment for people to work in.

What is your motto or personal mantra?

Always give a helping hand to anyone who needs it or not.

What three traits define you and how you work?

Goofy, willing to help out in anyway I can, and willing to learn.

April Wilson:

How long have you been working at/with Empire?

I started working for Empire on 1/2/2018, which would make it about 2 years and 2 months.

What made you want to work at/with Empire Today?

I found a great opportunity to work with a Nationwide company and wanted to be able to learn more about carpet/flooring as well as be able to assist customers and coworkers to the best of my ability.

What is your favorite part about working at/with Empire?

Being able to ensure an accurate and quality installation for our customer, being able to provide support to the team, as well as the family atmosphere with working with a great team in the Denver/Colorado Springs Market.

What is the one thing you are most excited about for the coming year?

I am excited to continue learning and growing with the company and supporting everyone as much as possible.

What is your motto or personal mantra?

Do unto others as you would want them to do unto you.

What three traits define you and how you work?

Hard working, great at multitasking, and able to troubleshoot difficult questions/situations.

The post Empire’s Best Winners January 2020 appeared first on Empire Today Blog.