New Year, New Perspectives – Nathan Terry

It’s a new year, folks, and we’ve got some new faces at L&P! Throughout January, we’ll introduce you to several of our recent hires and their thoughts on the year ahead.

Meet Nathan Terry, Sales & Service Representative for our Global Systems Group.

What brought you to Leggett?

I was born and raised in Carthage, MO, so I’ve grown up hearing good things about L&P. I have a sales background, so I was excited when I noticed this opportunity with the Global Systems Group (GSG). I sell machinery that goes into mattress factory equipment, such as quilters.

What’s something surprising about you?

I’m a singer! I have been singing in gospel groups for 20 years. I also lead worship at my church.

What’s your biggest goal for 2019?

My biggest goal this year is to help my team make 2019 a success for GSG, and in turn help L&P reach new heights. I’ll be traveling a lot in my new role because I’m a Sales Representative for the Western United States and Canada. In fact, just within the next few weeks, I’ll be heading to Los Angeles, then Phoenix, and then Seattle!

Happy National Fun at Work Day!

In the spirit of having fun at work, here are our Internal Auditors during a teambuilding painting activity last month. No matter how you’re celebrating today, we hope your workday is a great one!

Top 5 Ways to Develop Your Professional Self

When it comes to navigating a career, Alissa Owsley really knows her stuff.

As Director of Learning & Development, she spends every day creating and improving training opportunities here at L&P. We asked her to share her Top 5 tips to develop yourself professionally. Here are her thoughts:

1. Be the boss! If you’re waiting for your manager or the company to hand you development opportunities on a golden platter, you’ve already failed. No one cares more about your professional growth than you. Stop waiting, grab the steering wheel, and be the boss of your own career development!

2. Get comfortable with discomfort. True change happens outside of your comfort zone. If you want to develop professionally, you’re going to have to face a little discomfort. Challenge yourself to take on tasks or assignments that stretch the limits of your abilities.

3. Build a social network. No, I don’t mean jumping on Facebook. There is a deep, abiding truth to the saying, “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” If you stay in your office, and eat with the same people every day in the cafeteria, you’re going to go nowhere fast. Put your name and face in the minds of influencers.

4. Slide sideways. Gone are the days where career advancement means climbing an invisible ladder. Be open to lateral moves. Experience is invaluable wherever it may be found.

5. Get a coach. We all have blind spots when it comes to our own abilities and attitude. Find someone you trust to coach you on the road to professional development. We all need another set of eyes to navigate the career obstacles in our path.

New Year, New Perspectives – Carey Buchanan

It’s a new year, folks, and we’ve got some new faces at L&P! During the month of January, we’ll introduce you to several of our recent hires and their thoughts on the year ahead.

Meet Carey Buchanan, Programmer Analyst in Information Technology at L&P.

What brought you to Leggett?
I graduated in May from Missouri State University with a degree in Computer Science. As I started searching for employment I learned about the range of products that Leggett manufactures—it’s a lot more than just beds! I realized that a position here could provide me with a lot of opportunities.

What’s something surprising about you?
I commute from Springfield every day where I have a second job providing in-home care to people with disabilities. In my spare time, I love to take my Poodle Pointer, Sadie, to the dog park. I also have three chickens—Snap, Crackle, and Pop!

What’s your biggest goal for 2019?
First, I want to learn my way around this maze of a building! I am also really looking forward to learning a lot more about the company. Right now I am working on a rebuild of the Employee Store website and a business to consumer website for our bedding division. It will be fun to see those launch and to dive into even more projects.

New Year, New Perspectives – Brad Applebaum

It’s a new year, folks, and we’ve got some new faces at L&P! Throughout January, we’ll introduce you to several of our recent hires and their thoughts on the year ahead.

Meet Brad Applebaum, 3D Modeler in Creative Services at L&P.

What brought you to Leggett?
I graduated in 2009 and have worked several jobs in the industry. However, I was searching for a more stable career opportunity. I found Leggett & Platt’s profile on LinkedIn and was immediately attracted to the company’s long history. I like that L&P feels like a small, local business, yet has the opportunities of a much larger company.

What’s something surprising about you?
I’m a game developer in my spare time. I have one published title, “Healer: A Light in the Darkness,” which is available on the iTunes store. I also have several other community games that I share with friends. I enjoy this hobby because it really brings together my passions for storytelling and design in a fun way. I also get to collaborate with some very talented people.

What’s your biggest goal for 2019?
I really want to help our small 3D department make waves. Creative Services has had a talented 3D artist and animator for years. Now that there are two of us, we’re looking for more ways to increase our capacity and save company resources—all while keeping within Leggett’s overall culture and mission. While this is really a goal for the entire department, I’d like to champion the cause for 2019.

EZPRO Wallhugger

The new EZPRO Wallhugger from Furniture Components is ergonomically designed to reduce the gap between the seat and back cushions. Its backrest pivot points have been relocated to the optimum position in the mechanism, allowing them to uniquely correspond to the same pivot points in the human body.

New Year, New Perspectives – Sarah Allen

It’s a new year, folks, and we’ve got some new faces at L&P! Throughout January, we’ll introduce you to several of our recent hires and their thoughts on the year ahead.

Meet Sarah Allen, Commodity Specialist in Purchasing. She started with us in October.

What brought you to Leggett?

I have always heard wonderful things about L&P. In fact, my grandfather was a Risk Manager many years ago for Leggett, and he’s always encouraged me to apply here. I’m so glad I did!

What’s something surprising about you?

At first, I may seem reserved, but I’m actually overly competitive. I played a little bit of every sport in high school and college, and my competitiveness comes out during board games, a bet, you name it.

What’s your biggest goal for 2019?

I want to show kindness to everyone – I think kindness gets lost in negativity these days. Think of how different the world could be if everyone extended kindness and graciousness. That’s the world I want to live in, and so I’ll start with me!

Top 5 Reasons We’re Introducing a Top 5 Series

1. Because we like lists around here! List-making is our love language, so twice per month, we’ll post a new Top 5 list – Top 5 Ways to Make Your Resume Shine, Top 5 Tips to Save for Retirement, Top 5 Fun Facts about L&P’s Founders… just to name a few.

2. Because we’ll share perspectives from subject matter experts. With each Top 5, we’ll talk to L&P employees who really know their stuff. Expect to learn from the best of the best – from all pockets of the company.

3. Because we want you to pick up some handy tips. We’re talking to all you lifelong learners out there.

4. Because we hope you’ll learn something new about L&P. We’re a global manufacturer turning ordinary materials into extraordinary products. And we’ve got quite a story to tell.

5. Because a Top 5 is fun! And we think 2019 is the perfect year to have fun. Stay tuned!