Notice of the April 1, 2015 to March 31, 2016 membership renewal was late this year. Your company still has time to update information for this year’s directory. Fax or Email your changes before May 31.The WRLA DIRECTORY and PRODUCT SOURCE GUIDE will be published in July. Each member location will receive one copy complimentary.

The WRLA Buying Show is one of the largest shows of its kind in Canada, with 700 booths and over 260 exhibiting companies. Year after year Exhibitor booths are sold out and with a wait list. Retailers in the lumber and home improvement industry from across Western Canada attend the Show for; the excellent deals, new products, renew old friendships, make new ones, and fantastic entertainment.

Each year we are pleased to offer you this opportunity to increase your company’s strategic position and become "top-of-mind" with retailers.  Each category guarantees the sponsor profile, recognition, and access to attending retailers.

*Deadline to Sponsor is TOMORROW - May 15, 2015

Download the 2016 WRLA Buying Show Sponsorship Form with Benefits

• Select the Event "WRLA 2016" then proceed to Step 1 of the booking process.
• Enter your dates in the space provided in Step 1; and press "Next" for the remaining steps.
• If you are unsure how to proceed please contact WRLA-Housing@icsevents.com or call 1-720-325-2944

• If you have received a "Group Code" enter the code in the space provided below your dates in Step 1.  

GROUPS without PRE-RESERVED ROOM BLOCKS:

• For 6 or more reservations use the Group Hotel Booking Form below

If you wish to revise your existing reservation, click on the button that says "Existing Reservation".  You will be instructed to provide the email address entered in the original reservation as well as the last name and you will then be resent the original confirmation email of your booking.

The WRLA is proud to offer seven $1,500 Bursaries and seven $3,000 Scholarships each academic year. To learn more about eligibility and for full program details visit www.wrla.org or contact Krista at kristas@wrla.org 

TORONTO, May 11, 2015 /CNW/ -- Lowe's Canada announced today it has reached agreement to acquire the leases of 13 former Target Canada locations and to purchase Target's Milton, Ontario distribution centre for a total purchase price of approximately C$151 million.  This acquisition came as part of a real estate auction following Target's decision to cease operations in Canada.  

 

"Since opening stores in Canada in 2007, we have developed a successful model for providing the Canadian customer with outstanding service and quality products for the home," said Sylvain Prud'homme, president of Lowe's Canada.  "These additional locations will accelerate our expansion across the country, enhancing our presence in Western Canada and strengthening our base in Ontario. We are excited to bring Lowe's to more customers in more communities in Canada, further demonstrating our commitment to this important market."   

  

Mosley and Irvine explained employees often seek appreciation and feedback, and these two principles can lead to an open culture, where organizational health is improved and engagement is built.

One example of how a company is reinforcing its culture is Hershey Chocolate Company. According to Irvine, every day, the company invites all 13,000 employees to smile when they see colleagues doing great things. This positivity reaches all areas of the business and helps boost morale.

Throughout their book and in their research, the authors use the phrase social recognition, which they say is different than old-school recognition models.

Irvine adds that through social recognition, companies are able to spot great performers, which helps with succession planning and brings a social movement of voices, generating lots of useful data.

They also spoke about how more frequent recognition can help when it’s time for an employee performance review. By recording and storing the employees’ recognition throughout the year, companies can track and provide more detail and insights from management and peers when the performance review happens.

So how can you apply this to your store? Consider starting out by finding ways to encourage your managers and employees to recognize one another for doing things right.

If you already have a recognition program, whether it’s an employee of the month award or another program highlighting employees’ good work, reflect on the program and consider ways you can improve upon it. Try to find ways to get all of your employees involved and giving each other feedback.

If you don’t have a recognition program, consider creating one. If done right, it can help boost employee morale while also allowing you to create and develop the future leaders of your business. And happy employees are likely to deliver even better customer service, making social recognition a win-win for your employees, customers—and you.

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 www.wrla.org or CLICK HERE for more information about NRHA.