Gold Award Spotlight: Lydia Anderson, KaTom Restaurant Supply

You were recognized in part because of your work to help KaTom Design+Build adopt and use new tools, including NAV, Power BI, and Matterport. Why were those tools important for the company’s capabilities and how did you become involved with them?

These tools help us work more efficiently and give the customer the best possible experience. NAV is a vital part of our day-to-day operations at KaTom. From creating the initial quote through the final invoice, NAV helps us keep everything organized and gives project visibility to every team involved. Power BI helps us turn that information into useful data that can support decision-making. Matterport adds another dimension by allowing us to capture 3D representations of spaces — which is especially valuable when planning and designing projects.

I became involved by recognizing ways these tools could be implemented to solve problems and improve daily processes. As I became proficient with them, I started helping others use them as well. Eventually, that led to taking on more responsibility around training and implementation.

What skills did you need to build or develop as you started using those tools and training?

The most valuable skill I developed was adaptability. Learning new tools takes patience and a willingness to try different approaches, so trial and error became an important part of the process. I had to understand not only how the tools were useful but why they were important to our daily work.

When I began training, I quickly realized that in order to teach someone effectively, you must understand their perspective and explain the process in a way that makes sense to them. Each person learns in a different way so I had to adapt my approach to meet the needs of each trainee.

Those experiences also strengthened my problem-solving and organizational skills, which have carried over into nearly every part of my role as a project coordinator.

How did your company support your leadership development?

KaTom has helped me grow as a leader by trusting me with new responsibilities and giving me the freedom to learn through hands-on experience. They have also encouraged me to continue my professional development. I have passed the Certified Food Service Professional (CFSP) certification, which helped strengthen my knowledge of the foodservice industry, and I am currently working toward my Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) certification. These opportunities have helped me build my industry knowledge and apply project management principles in my daily work.

As a project coordinator, what are some ways you measure success with a customer?

I measure customer success by looking at both the project results and the customer experience. It is important to not only deliver what was promised on time and within budget, but also to ensure that the customer felt informed and supported throughout the process. Ultimately, I measure success by whether we achieved the customer’s goals and built a strong relationship that makes them want to work with KaTom again.

In your nomination, KaTom praised the care and attention to detail you show in your work. Can you give an example of how this played out during an on-site installation and how you demonstrated leadership in that situation?

Attention to detail is critical in all stages of a project — especially when it comes to on-site installation. It is essential to have a strong understanding of the equipment being installed, of the customer’s expectations, and of what is required to get the equipment up and running.

During a recent on-site installation, I noticed a few details that could have caused issues later, so I worked with the installation team and the customer to address them before moving forward. I demonstrated leadership by staying proactive, communicating clearly, and making sure we found the right solution. My priority was earning the confidence of the customer through a job well done.

As you look ahead in your career, what excites you about the future of the foodservice equipment and supplies industry?

I’m excited about the continued growth and evolution of the foodservice industry. There are always new products, ideas, and ways to better serve customers. I am excited to be part of that growth as I continue building my career at KaTom.