WRLA Toolbox: November 13, 2014
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Welcome to the ToolBox, your portal to WRLA member news and information within the LBM market. We invite you to learn more about what's going on within your association and the companies whose products and/or services you utilize.

What's Going On

See what NexGEN has accomplished over the past year, and find out what you can expect to see going forward!
 
Join the Conversation,
Register today for the NexGEN Luncheon at the 2015 WRLA Buying Show



 "We have provided members with Networking events, Educational Tours, Mentorship opportunities and the possibilities just keep coming!"
 - WRLA NexGEN Coordinator, Krista Scherpenzeel

Visit http://videos.wrla.org to view all our WRLA TV. Episodes!
 
 


Register Online Today for your Name badges & Event Tickets




For information on the 2015 Buying Show and Convention Events please visit www.wrla.org/buying-show
 

Bust out your Boots and Hat for an evening of Networking, Tasty Food, Live Music and... that's right, Dancing!
 



The Opening Night is proudly Sponsored by Castle Building Centres Group Ltd.

Get your Tickets Now!
 


*November 1st, 2014 was your renewal date.

Please contact Lannie at lmertz@wrla.org with any questions or concerns.

For general information on the WRLA Group Property & Liability Insurance Plan visit our website at www.wrla.org/membership/group-employee-benefits-plan


 

The WRLA was founded in 1890.... over the past 125 years we've managed to save some pretty interesting memorabilia.  From vintage training manuals and legal documents, to photos and original video footage of Buying Shows and conferences over the past century.  

We are excited to celebrate our 125th Anniversary in Calgary at the 2015 WRLA Buying Show

We're asking our members to join in and share their histories with us too!
If you have any memorabilia from your business, your home or the Building Supply Industry throughout the 1900's, we'd love to see it!

Please submit memorabilia to ckelly@wrla.org or call Caren toll free at 1-800-661-0253



 
Industry News
NRHA Monthly Program Communication – November 2014

Five Strategies to Ensure Family Business Success
  
Many of the strategies that family businesses use for success are applicable to success for any business. Non-family businesses can learn a lot from family businesses. 

These are the top five success strategies for family businesses (that to apply to all businesses):

  • Keep the lines of communication open. Schedule regular meetings to discuss issues of concern and topics such as business transition, business performance, and responsibilities. Include all of the family members, no matter where in the hierarchy their jobs fall – exclusion creates animosity. Create a manual that lays out the ground rules for how the meetings will take place to ensure everyone gets a chance to be heard and there are no impediments to communication.

  • Assign clear roles and responsibilities. As a family member, it is natural to feel that everything is "my" business. However, not everything is every family member’s responsibility. Job definitions prevent everyone from jumping in to tackle the same problem and help ensure that everyone knows their role, which makes the business run smoothly.

  • Keep good financial data. The downfall of many small and family businesses is not having solid data. Have a single point of contact to manage the finances. If you’re small enough, you can rely on a family member. Otherwise, you’ll need to bring in a qualified accountant. You may cringe at the cost for this but the difference between good financial data and messy data is the difference between knowing exactly where you are on the road and trying to drive with a mud-covered windshield.

  • Avoid overpaying family members. Market-based compensation is fundamental and essential. Look on the internet for the pay scale of someone in a similar role to get an idea of market value. Parents in family businesses tend to overpay the next generation, or pay everyone equally despite differing levels of responsibility. Both are bad practices. The longer unfair compensation practices continue, the harder it will be to clean up when it blows up.

  • Don’t hire relatives if they’re unqualified. Competence is essential. Family businesses are a conundrum: The family aspect generates unqualified love, while the business side cares about profits. Therefore, family members may be hired even though they’re not qualified. The remedy is to get them trained, move them to a role that matches their skills, or to have them leave.

WRLA IN PARTNERSHIP WITH NRHA
The goal of the North American Retail Hardware Association is to help independent hardware and home improvement retailers become better and more profitable merchants through a wide array of educational and training programs, financial management resources, and human resource tools that are all available online. WRLA members get unlimited access to a full range of training and management services when they join NRHA through the WRLA.

Visit the WRLA website at www.wrla.org or click here for more information about NRHA.

 

This award recognizes members of the WRLA who have contributed to their business, the building supply industry, the WRLA and the communities in which they live. Since 1970 this award has been presented to individuals who have deserved and received the respect of employees, members, competitors and suppliers in the building materials industry and who have contributed their time and energy to their community and the WRLA.

The Western Retail Lumber Association Inc. is pleased to announce Martha Konantz, President and CEO of North American Lumber, is the recipient of the 44th Annual WRLA Industry Achievement Award.
 
Calendar of Events

UPCOMING EVENTS


January 21 - 23, 2015
WRLA Buying Show
Calgary, AB
  • Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2015 |  7:00 - 11:00pm
    Opening Night at the WRLA Saloon, proudly Sponsored by CASTLE
    Hyatt Regency Hotel, 2nd Level Mezzanine
  • Thursday, Jan. 22, 2015  |  7:00 - 11:00pm
    WRLA 125th Anniversary Celebration, proudly Sponsored by JELD-WEN
    Hyatt Regency Hotel, 2nd Level Mezzanine
  • Friday, Jan. 23, 2015  |  7:00 - 11:00pm
    Closing Night Party with Paul Brandt, proudly Sponsored by SEXTON 
    Telus Convention Centre, North Building, 2nd Level

To Register for the 2015 Buying Show or to Purchase Tickets to the evening events please visit: www.wrla.org/buying-show
 
Member Updates

NEW RETAIL MEMBERS


Arrow Building Supplies
2240 - 6th Avenue
Castlegar, BC V1N 2V9
Phone: 250-365-2175
Fax: 250-365-6404
Main Contact: Tony Bergner
(RETAILER) RONA

Blackwood Building Centre Ltd.
33050 South Fraser Way
Abbotsford, BC V2S 2A9
Phone: 604-853-6471
Fax: 604-853-6771
Main Contact: Carey Konrad
(RETAILER) HOME HARDWARE

Nelson Home Building Centre
101 McDonald Dr.
Nelson, BC V1L 6B9
Phone: 250-352-1919
Fax: 250-352-1916
Main Contact: Bob Marsh
(RETAILER) HOME HARDWARE

 
WRLA Videos

Stay up-to-date on the latest industry news and events with our engaging new communication channel.

Have you watched the latest episode on our WRLA TV channel? Don't wait to take full advantage of this terrific media channel, one of the many benefits of your WRLA membership!

Check it out here!


 
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Westman Steel Industries
Home Hardware Stores Ltd
Castle Building Centres

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