Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Happy Holidays from NGA and WDDA

As 2010 draws to a close and we focus on the blessings of friends and family, we wanted to wish you a wonderful holiday season and thank you for your continued support of the NGA and WDDA.
This has been a challenging year for most of us, but we've seen once again the power and wisdom of banding together to work through the difficult economic climate and to face policy issues

At the NGA and WDDA, we have so much to be grateful for. Your support has enabled us to keep producing the finest publications in the business -- Glass Magazine and Window & Door -- and the top trade show for our industries in North America -- GlassBuild America: The Window & Door Expo.
 

With your participation, we had a successful Window &a Door Dealers Forum and we look forward to a successful 2nd Annual Forum in Atlanta in 2011. The 5th Annual Glazing Executives Forum was also successful, along with our Glass Management Institute. We are also proud to provide best-in-class training for glass and window and door professionals through MyGlassClass.com and MyWindowClass.com.

We believe we will make 2011 a much better year. 

We wish you great blessings over the holidays and a healthy and prosperous New Year.


NGA and WDDA Staff

Monday, December 20, 2010

Resolve to Succeed

It is the time of year most of us begin to think about New Year Resolutions or goals for the next year. We all know that goal setting is the most effective and powerful way to achieve what we want, this is true of things large and small – including optimizing effectiveness on the telephone.
When working with customers, it is important that we each strive for continuous improvement. Putting that attitude into motion requires a commitment to change. Setting appropriate goals sets the stage for the commitment and is a driving force for improvement.
When setting goals, you must know what is important for you to accomplish. Then you must set specific and clearly stated goals. If you do not have clearly stated goals, your effort will lack direction and focus.
  1. Get Specific. Set goals that are specific. Instead of “I will do better”, direct the Sales Rep to set a goal of what will be better. “I will ask questions to determine the real need of my customer.” By setting a specific goal you create a measurement for improvement.
  2. Use Powerful Words. When setting a goal use words that are powerful and drive success: I will, I am going to, I commit to. Avoid words that allow failure: I will try, I could, maybe I should
  3. Develop a Strategy for Improvement. Once the goal is stated, ask for a strategy or action plan. This step prepares the Sales Rep to immediately put their goal into action.
Start the New Year with a commitment to begin the process of goal setting. Measure the improvement of each member of your staff and begin to celebrate their success!
Michelle Jones
ContactPoint
Solutions NGA WDDA

Friday, December 17, 2010

Auto Glass Week: Room Block Now Open

Discount rooms have been made available to Auto Glass Week™ attendees for only $99 per night plus tax at the Memphis Marriott Downtown. Auto Glass Week will be held September 15-17, 2011 in Memphis.
Staying at the Memphis Marriott Downtown allows attendees to be close to the event so you are not missing a beat. Located on 250 North Main Street in Memphis, this hotel truly is in the heart of the city and provides its guests with all the latest comforts and amenities. 
You may reach the hotel directly at 888-557-8740 or reserve online using the link below. You must reference that you are with Auto Glass Week to receive the discounted rate.
This 2011 event will bring together the Auto Glass Replacement Safety Standards (AGRSS) Council Inc., the Independent Glass Association (IGA), the National Glass Association (NGA), National Windshield Repair Association (NWRA), AGRR Magazine's Pilkington Clear Advantage Auto Glass Technician Olympics and the Walt Gorman Memorial Windshield Repair Olympics for one event in one venue. The International Window Film Tint-Off and Conference™ also will be held concurrently.
Auto Glass Week will be managed by AGRR magazine. For more information, please visit the official show website.
See you in Memphis next September!

Monday, December 13, 2010

Leadership is the Key to a Successful Organization

I’m a big fan of Fast Company magazine and this month’s issue has a terrific article about Willow Creek Church. If you haven’t heard of it, it’s a large church outside Chicago where approximately 23,000 people gather each Sunday. The article describes their annual Leadership Summit, where they bring in big names from business, government, and media to discuss leadership strategies and management practices. I’ve actually attended this event a couple times and it’s outstanding.

Why am I telling you this? Because the driving idea behind Willow Creek’s Leadership Summit – that leadership is the key difference between successful organizations and non-successful organizations – is true in the glass industry as well. Which brings us to the Glass Management Institute.

Simply put, if you want your organization to be successful, you have to develop strong leaders. And there is no better vehicle in the industry for developing leaders than GMI. In the course of six months, we’ll teach your rising leaders about Bidding and Estimating, Sales and Marketing, Project Management, and all the things they need to learn to run a top-notch glass company. Beyond standard business training, this course is by the industry and for the industry as we draw on talents from leading companies such as Trainor Glass, Vitro America, W&W Glass, and CBO Glass to provide instruction.

The course kicks off on January 18, 2011. Don’t miss this tremendous opportunity. If you or your key people want to register, visit our website and do so today. If you have any questions, contact Matt Rumbaugh at mrumbaug@glass.org or 703-4422-4890, ext. 182.
Matt Rumbaugh
Senior Manager, Education and Training
 

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Stay Connected with Auto Glass Week

 
Stay Connected! Make Sure You Are Getting All the News on Auto Glass Week 2011. On September 15-17, 2011, all of the major auto glass groups will join together for Auto Glass Week™ in Memphis, Tenn., at the Memphis Cook Convention Center and Memphis Marriott Downtown. 
If you are a part of the auto glass industry you won't want to miss this event. Here is a couple of ways you can stay connected so you don't miss out on the auto glass event of 2011:
  1. Join our mailing list and make sure you don't miss an update.
  2. Stay in the conversation by joining us on Twitter! Follow us @autoglassweek and use the hashtag #AGW11 to see what industry members are saying.
  3. Bookmark Us! Make www.autoglassweek.com your homepage so you don't miss important deadlines and the latest updates!
This 2011 event will bring together the Auto Glass Replacement Safety Standards (AGRSS) Council Inc., the Independent Glass Association (IGA), the National Glass Association (NGA), National Windshield Repair Association (NWRA), AGRR Magazine's Pilkington Classic Auto Glass Technician Olympics and the Walt Gorman Memorial Windshield Repair Olympics for one event in one venue. The International Window Film Tint-Off and Conference also will be held concurrently.
Auto Glass Week will be managed by AGRR magazine. For more information, please visit the official show website.
See you in Memphis next September!

Monday, December 6, 2010

Industry Related Tax Credits included in Baucus bill


The WDDA has been extremely active and vocal in seeking an extension of the residential energy efficiency tax credits.  We just received notice that some of what we've been pushing for has been incorporated into a tax bill proposed by Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT), chairman of the Senate Finance Committee.
While much work remains to be done, this is a positive step in the right direction.  Now it's incumbent upon us to let our elected officials know how important it is for the extension to remain in the final package.  This is an critical one-year tax credit extension that will create and preserve jobs, offer prudent consumer incentives for environmentally sustainable purchases (which will reduce our dependence on foreign oil) and help the economic rebound.
The biggest challenge remains in the U.S. House, where all tax credits are getting heavy scrutiny.
Leaders of the WDDA met with the offices of fellow Finance Committee members Sens. Bingaman and Snowe last month, during which we pushed for higher credits (from $200 to $1,500), with Energy Star products as the primary focus.  It appears that they listened, and they have included what they believe is affordable and/or politically viable.
Again, please let your members of Congress know you support this important tax credit. It's good for our industry, our employees and our country.
David Walker
dwalker@wddalliance.org

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

How are you planning for 2011?

As the year is quickly coming to a close, information about the economy is still front page news. Just this week President Obama called for a pay freeze for federal employees for the next 2 years.  And last week the Federal Reserve released a report about the state of the economy over the next few years.
According to an AP article that was posted last week, Federal Reserve officials have become more pessimistic in their economic outlook through next year and have lowered their forecast for growth. The news for 2012 and 2013 is better, and lower unemployment rate is projected for 2012.
These reports come in the midst of many businesses annual budget cycles.  At a time when businesses need to make more money, and spend more on sales efforts and marketing, it's disheartening to hear that the economy might not start to really bounce back for a couple of years.
As you plan your budget for 2011, are you taking all of the reports into account? How is the growth of the economy (or lack of growth) impacting your plans for 2011?

Alyssa Kirkman
Sr. Manager, Association Services