Letter on the Third — June 2026

Dear Datamax Family,

For those of you who caught the Kentucky Derby last month, several outlets described it as a “stretch run for the ages” and an “improbable” rally. At the midpoint of the race, Golden Tempo was at or near dead last. The horse was patient. Steady. Still in contention. Positioned for a powerful finish. At 23-1 odds, few expected what would happen next.

But as the race entered the second half, Golden Tempo surged from the back of the pack to the front in one of the most historic finishes in Derby history. It was a reminder that the first half of the race does not determine the outcome.

The same is true for us.

It’s easy in the middle of the year to lose momentum or become complacent. We may feel like the tone for the year has already been set. But history, in racing and in business, shows us that a lot can change in a short period of time. In fact, many of our strongest years as a company have been built in the second half.
That’s why strength in the middle matters.

Plow Through Your “Comfort Zone.”

There are several stages we go through when pursuing growth and success. It often begins with the comfort zone (It’s a topic we’ve discussed before in our March 2024 Rave Review issue, The UnComfort Zone). This is where complacency can settle in. We become satisfied with where things are and convince ourselves that simply maintaining is enough.

From there comes the fear zone. This is where excuses start to appear. We hesitate to push harder because we are uncertain about outcomes, worried about failure, or comfortable enough to avoid taking risks. But growth never happens in the comfort zone, and momentum never builds in the fear zone.
If we can plow through both, we enter the learning zone. This is where improvement begins. We become better communicators, better teammates, better problem-solvers, and better leaders. And from learning comes growth. From growth comes results.

The middle of the year is not the time to coast. It is the time to keep learning, improving, communicating, and pushing forward.

Pursue Momentum. It Increases Exponentially.

Success is a cycle.

The more we do something, the better we become at it. The better we become, the more confidence we gain. The more confidence we gain, the more motivated we are to keep going. 
Momentum works the same way. It becomes exponentially stronger.

Positive momentum creates energy. It creates belief. It changes mindsets and strengthens teams. We begin solving problems faster, communicating better, supporting each other more effectively, and approaching challenges with confidence instead of hesitation. The opposite is also true. When we lose momentum, negativity and complacency can begin to affect our performance and our outlook.

This is why communication matters so much during the middle of the year. When there’s a challenge, let’s identify it early and solve it together. If you need support, don’t hesitate to reach out. When there’s an opportunity to improve a process, strengthen a customer relationship, or help another department succeed, let’s take action.

Momentum is not accidental. It is created through consistent effort and a willingness to keep moving forward.

Push Through the Middle Miles.

Every race has a middle stretch. It’s the part where fatigue sets in. It’s where distractions appear. It’s where competitors begin to question whether they can maintain the pace. But it’s also where races are often won.

Golden Tempo did not panic in the middle of the race. The horse stayed steady, stayed in contention, and when the opportunity appeared, made an incredible push to the finish line.

Whether you work in sales, service, IT, administration, operations, or leadership, the second half of the year gives us an opportunity to finish strong. We may feel like the odds are against us at times. We may feel like we’re already having a good year and can ease up. Either way, the message is the same: Push.

• Push to train and improve.

• Push to communicate.

• Push to keep everyone informed.

• Push to expand your role.

• Push to finish strong.

The middle of the year does not define the outcome. What matters is how we respond to it. Just like the Kentucky Derby, the strongest finish may still be ahead of us.

People-Centered Culture Wins.

Respectfully,