Dear Industry Colleagues,
What an exciting job this is! As President of ASA, I get to do a lot of cool stuff. I travel all over the country, visit other distributors, speak to large groups of people, go to Washington, D.C., and walk The Hill on behalf of our industry, and probably most rewarding is I get to tell people about ASA and all the great things we do.
When I first got involved in ASA, I thought I knew everything it had to offer - there were training programs, a PAC and an annual convention and trade show where I could go to learn what was going on and connect with colleagues from across the nation. Then I served on some committees, spent a few years on the Board and now the Executive Committee. I was continually surprised when I learned of a program or service that was new to me. There was a lot of “WOW - ASA does that?” on my part. When I talk about the most rewarding part of being ASA president, it’s giving someone else that “WOW” factor when I tell them things they didn’t know about ASA, like:
- The ASA Education Foundation has 30 training products
that cover a variety of topics geared to new employees, specialty areas and
refreshers for veteran employees. Training programs are available in book, CD
and online formats.
- In the first five months of 2008 alone, the Foundation has sponsored
or underwritten 10 seminars across the country, bringing live training to where
you do business.
- The Karl E. Neupert Endowment Fund is worth over $13 million, the
income from which allowed ASA to invest over $1 million in developing and
delivering educational programs in 2008.
- ASA is the only industry group that offers peer-to-peer networking
meetings for managers and operational employees in your company - trainers
& HR, warehouse & operations, and showroom managers. Over 150 people
have already participated.
- ASA gathers industry data to evaluate your company’s performance
against the overall industry and others within your market and specialty
areas.
- ASA participates in nine coalitions in Washington, D.C., daily
promoting legislation that fairly represents our members’ interests.
- ASA provided members a face-to-face with key legislators, including
Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao, during the Washington, D.C., Fly-In last month.
Now that’s influence!
- ASA has initiatives to address workforce development on behalf of our members, including recruiting materials, community college and university outreach programs, and a planned new web presence for people entering the job market.
Yes, WOWindeed. These are just some of the reasons I’mstillexcited about being ASA president. If you’re not currently a member of ASA, I strongly believe that now is the time for you to reevaluate that decision. “But what about the expense?” you ask. My answer to you is look at it as I do, as an investment in a powerful ally who is there when I need help most - ASA will help me train my people to work smarter and more profitably, ASA promotes my best interests when it comes to government issues, and ASA provides me with a variety of tools to set my company apart from the competition.
So now you know what I know. If you’re already a member of ASA, use the programs that exist to make you the best you can be.
If you’re not a member, join ASA today and experience the best this organization has to offer. I’d love to talk to you personally about it if you have any questions. I can be reached at 574-294-5551 orjnew@mid-city.com. Like I said, it’s the most rewarding thing I get to do as president.
Jeff New
Mid-City Supply Co., Inc.
