Triax is extremely proud to be named one of the 2019 Best Places to Work in Connecticut. This award was created by the Hartford Business Journal and Best Companies Group to identify, recognize, and honor the best employers in Connecticut. Headquartered in Norwalk (right across from the Maritime Aquarium!) with a Product Development Center in East Hartford, we’re committed to transforming the construction industry through intelligent, innovative technology and data to make projects safer and smarter. Our Spot-r jobsite platform is helping some of the nation’s largest general contractors streamline processes, boost safety culture, and minimize downtime.
Our team is passionate and drive, and each day – whether in the field, in the lab, or in the office – we work to exceed expectations. Our core values include encouraging individual initiative, projecting a positive attitude and embracing a collaborative environment. At Triax, every employee has a seat at the table, and we believe it is possible to work hard, do good and have fun at the same time.
Following our Best Places to Work win, we caught up with our Chief Information Officer, Ben Sweet, and Human Resources Manager, Jenice Powell, about #TeamTriax.
How long have you been with Triax?
BS: I’ve been with Triax a little over three years (since the beginning of our current product development). Our team, and what we’ve been able to accomplish and deliver across our organization over that time, makes me energized to come to work each day. We’ve built truly innovative products, and each day brings new opportunities to have a direct impact on those products and the future of the connected construction site (and larger ecosystem).
JP: I love working at Triax because of the people. I might be a bit biased, but we have some of the most knowledgeable and dedicated employees working at Triax. The team motivates me to do better because they bring 150% of themselves to work every day while having fun. I work with a great group of people who makes me feel like I belong and that is important especially when you are spending so much time with your co-workers. I am proud of the work that we have been able to accomplish in the short space of time since we launched our product.
What traits do you look for in team members? How would you characterize the company’s overall management style?
BS: Individuals that are excited about what we’re doing, for sure, with an aptitude for learning quickly, wearing many hats, and rolling up their sleeves to get things done. We’ve very fortunate to have a team of high performers that are driven to succeed, which allows us to give as much autonomy as possible to every member of the team. Our goal is to bring out the best in them with their particular knowledge and strengths. Management (and fellow team members) hold each other accountable, which brings alignment and makes folks want to deliver. We push each other to kick it up a notch, no matter what the issue or initiative at hand is.
When innovating and working in a start-up, you can never have 100% successes. “Failures” are a chance to dust yourself off, learn from the experience, and do things differently next time, and that mindset is promoted throughout the organization.
JP: I would add that in terms of work-life balance, there are some long days, including occasional nights or weekends, but the trade-off is that there are regular opportunities for vacations, days off, and flexibility to be able to leave early, come in late, etc. as needed. We believe in what we’re doing, and we’ve built our team on trust, so team members are driven to do what is necessary to get the job done.
What is your company’s approach to team building and career development?
BS: Our team building includes regular happy hours and holiday events. Every member of the team is encouraged to attend training or conferences that further their career interests or initiatives at Triax, even if the event is outside their “designated” role.
JP: We also have an “Above and Beyond” peer recognition program, which recognizes employees that have gone above and beyond in exemplifying our core company values over the past quarter. In a fast-paced, start-up environment it can be easy to always focus on the next task at hand, but it’s important to pause to reflect on past achievements, and we regularly hold meetings where achievements are heralded to all. In addition, we are so nimble in everything that we do that if someone is interested in a new position that has nothing to do with their current line of work, we give them or at least entertain the possibility of that employee moving up in the company. No one is pigeon-holed. The opportunities are here for the taking.
What are most excited about when it comes to Triax over the next 12 months?
BS: 2018 was an awesome year for the Triax team and our Spot-r solution, and we grew tremendously in team size and the number of project sites benefitting from our tech and data. 2019 is looking to be another banner year, where we’ll grow and continue to innovate.
JP: This isn’t surprising as HR Manager, but I am excited about growing the team! We have solid growth plans in the works – shameless plug to check out our Careers page for more – and I’m enjoying reaching out to our local community to hire the best and brightest talent. Connecticut is a great place to work and there are leading companies doing innovative work. We just attended a Careers Fair at UConn for data science and engineering-focused positions and the turnout was amazing. We are a company that is absolutely ready to hire the best and brightest.
