Vol. 6, No. 16 – July 30, 2007

 

 

DRM WORKSHOPS – LAST CHANCE!

 

Plan now to attend one of the MLA Designated Risk Management Workshops on Wednesday, August 15 in Wichita, or Thursday, August 16 in St. Louis. You really don’t want to miss this program!

 

The workshops will be filled with valuable information designed to increase profitability and improve employee safety. This program will show you how to reduce operating costs and control insurance increases. The registration fee is just $50 per person.

 

Sign up right away to assure your place: Federated Insurance risk experts will prepare a loss history analysis and action plans designed specifically for your company. This benefit is available regardless of whether or not you are currently a Federated Insurance policyholder. While results will vary, statistics show that companies participating in this training have reduced losses as much as 30 percent and improved their insurance expense accordingly.

 

To register, please complete and return a registration form today. (Either call MLA at 800-747-6529 – or go to http://www.themla.com/MLA-DRM2007.pdf.)  Don’t pass up this opportunity to learn tried-and-true ways to effect savings in your business.

 

 

NLBMDA 2007 INDUSTRY SUMMIT

 

The 2007 Industry Summit, The 16% Solution, will take place October 4-6 at the JW Marriott Resort & Spa in Las Vegas. The 16% Solution will focus on how dealers can maximize their value in builders’ eyes through creativity, operational excellence and, most of all, the ability to focus on the builder’s bottom line without losing sight of their own. The 2007 Industry Summit will explore the key areas dealers need to focus on to capture market share and maximize their profitability by making builders more efficient. Dealers are the solution — that is the bottom line!

 

We anticipate more than 300 senior-level executives from lumber and building material companies from around the country to attend for the educational seminars, discussions and breakout sessions designed to give dealers the tools to stay competitive in the ever-evolving LBM industry.

 

Access the Industry Summit brochure at: http://www.dealer.org/docs/Industry%20Summit%202007%20Brochure%20&%20Reg.pdf

 

Go to the NLBMDA web site at www.dealer.org for continually updated information on the speakers and events and for a direct link to make hotel reservations.

 

 

  

 

 

LUMBER NEWS – QUICK GLIMPSES

 

Foreclosure Activity Drops 7 Percent in June… RealtyTrac, an online marketplace for foreclosure properties, says that foreclosure filings (default notices, auction sale notices, and bank repossessions) in June decreased by 7 percent from May numbers, which saw a monthly increase of 19 percent. Despite this decrease in activity, rates are up 87 percent from June 2006. The report, released Tuesday morning, estimates that the national foreclosure rate in June is one in every 704 households.

 

Source: Builder Business Update, July 12, 2007

 

Builder Confidence Falls Further in July… A surplus of unsold homes on the market, combined with ongoing concerns in the subprime mortgage arena and affordability issues associated with tightened lending standards and higher interest rates continues to take a significant toll on builder confidence, according to the latest National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI), released today. The HMI declined four points to 24 this month, which is its lowest level since January of 1991.

 

“The bottom line is that the single-family housing market is still in a correction process following the historic and unsustainable highs of the 2003-2005 period,” noted NAHB Chief Economist David Seiders. “Builders are actively trimming prices and offering buyer incentives to work down their inventories, but meanwhile there is a large supply of vacant existing homes on the market, and affordability problems persist despite efforts to attract buyers.

 

“In spite of these challenges, we expect to see home sales get back on an upward path late this year and we expect housing starts to begin a gradual recovery process by early next year. At that point, this market will be operating well below its long-term potential, providing plenty of room to grow in 2008 and beyond.”

 

Source: NAHB, July 17, 2007

 

BC Forestry Workers on Strike… 7,000 forestry workers at 31 Canadian lumber firms walked off the job this weekend as the United Steelworkers union called for a strike.

 

Brian Harder, the president of United Steelworkers local 1-3567 said "We're locking in for the long haul...It's going to take months, we expect. It's not going to be a short-term strike."

 

Timber companies, on the other hand, say they are merely trying to remain competitive in a weak lumber market.

 

Source: LBM Daily, July 23, 2007

 

Mortgage rates at 2^nd-highest point this year… Rates on 30-year mortgages were unchanged this week as a flood of new economic data did not change the general views of financial markets about inflation.

 

Freddie Mac, the mortgage company, reported Thursday that 30-year fixed-rate mortgages averaged 6.73 percent this week, the same as last week. That left the rate close to its high-point of the year, which was 6.74 percent set the week of June 14.

 

Government reports this week showed that inflation at the wholesale and consumer levels came down in June, reflecting big declines in gasoline prices. However, gasoline costs have been rising again in July.

 

Source: Builder Business Update from MSNBC, July 24, 2007

 

Prices Rise, Existing-Home Sales Decline in June… Sales of existing homes fell in June with some potential buyers staying on the sidelines, but prices rose modestly as inventories eased, according to the National Association of Realtors®.

 

Total existing-home sales – including single-family, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops – declined 3.8 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.75 million units in June from a downwardly revised level of 5.98 million in May, and are 11.4 percent below the 6.49 million-unit pace in June 2006. 

 

Source: National Association of Realtors, July 25, 2007

 

 

MANAGING PART-TIME EMPLOYEES

 

Sometimes, we don’t treat our part-time staff the same as our full-time staff. Sometimes managers think part-timers don’t contribute as much as they should. Does your management team think that part-timers have less motivation or are less productive? If so, why hire them? On the other hand, part-timers often feel they are not valued or treated well.  Often our full-time staff resents them for whatever reason. All of this can lead to turnover.

 

Be sure that part-timers receive the same orientation and training as full-timers. Give them the same feedback and coaching that full-timers get. Allow them the same mentoring opportunities. Be sure they are evaluated, recognized, and rewarded like everyone else.

 

Make sure they are respected, valued, and made to feel important. You can do this by giving them certain levels of responsibility instead of just boring, repetitious jobs. No one likes to feel like a useless drone. Make them feel they contribute and make their time at work a success. Let them know how they fit into the big picture. Be sure they feel that they make a vital contribution to the success of your company. For example, if they are a receptionist, explain to them they are the first “moment of truth” when customers call in. Let them know that, as a result, they play a part in keeping or losing a customer. Inform them when there are job openings, and that people will be calling to inquire about them. Explain to them how vital they are to getting these prospective employees to apply by explaining the proper application procedures.

 

Also be sure you include them in on all communications.  Let them know about new products, services, or any future changes that affect your organization, and possibly their job. And lastly, invite them to all important meetings and events. Be sure they are recognized publicly for their contributions at some event at least once a year.

 

Source: Bob Losyk, MEd., M.B.A., C.S.P. is a Certified Speaking Professional, master trainer, author, and President & CEO of Innovative Training Solutions, a Greensboro, NC consulting firm.  For more information on Bob’s keynotes, seminars, best practices facilitation, panel discussion leader, and products, please visit his websites at www.boblosyk.com and www.getagriponstress.com or call 1-800-995-0344.

 

 

BACK TALK

 

U. S. Department of Labor statistics say that 20 percent of workplace illnesses and injuries are due to back injuries.

 

Chances are you or some of your employees suffer from back pain. U. S. Department of Labor statistics say that 20 percent of workplace illnesses and injuries are due to back injuries. Employee back injuries are the most frequent cause of days away from work, and insurance claims costs amount to millions of dollars each year.

 

While back problems may arise from acute injury or illness, many injuries develop over a long period and worsen as the body ages. Often, the cause is related to habits and behavior that can be changed to improve back health and prevent serious injuries. Increasing awareness of these factors can work wonders in decreasing the frequency of back injuries and illness.

• Posture – Good posture while standing, sitting, driving and sleeping can help align the spine and avoid undue stress on the back.

• Lifting – Proper lifting techniques and awareness are especially important for employees whose jobs include heavy lifting.

• Exercise – Strengthening muscles in the back, abdomen, and legs along with a regular exercise routine helps protect the back.

• Healthy lifestyle – Managing stress, getting enough sleep and rest, maintaining a healthy weight and not smoking helps maintain a healthy back.

 Federated’s BackTalk^sm program is available at no charge to help you implement a back safety awareness program at your business. The kit includes posters, brochures, information and ideas to help you raise awareness among your employees and prevent back injuries. Call for your copy today.

 

Source: Federated Insurance

 

This article provided courtesy of Federated Mutual Insurance Company, your association’s recommended insurer.

MLA is proud to endorse….

 

 

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY