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By Alan Oakes

Lifelong learningr ? competitive advantage

f unve JUSr REruRNeo from the first-ever NAWLA Leadership Conference in lColorado Springs. The event emphasized what I had realized over the last few months-that I need to get back to my roots, which I will explain later.

The conference was the first event in my l l years in the industry that was from start to finish full days of management and executive learning programs with top industry and out-of-industry speakers. No time off, just pure session after session and almost l00%o attendance at each session. I learned a lot, as no doubt did the other attendees-a mix of owners, senior managers, and up-and-coming future executives.

First, my congratulations to NAWLA for developing this new program and congratulations to the members for making the investment to attend-and bring along others-in these difficult times. I am sure that, due to initial feedback, next year's program is already being planned, and I urge all current and future NAWLA members to put this event on your calendar for next year. I also recommend taking along other managers and or key employees. The cost vs. return is always a key factor, and I believe that the benefits will far outweigh the expense.

I have spent decades in the educational publishing and conference/seminar training industries (from sales to executive management training to technology, domestic and international, for companies small to Fortune 100). I have spent a good portion of my business life in education and understand the value of lifelong learning. And the more I learn, the more Irealize how much I have left to leam. Today, after we learn something, circumstances change again and different knowledge is needed' At the NAWLA conference, we discussed "Cash is King." I would also argue "Knowledge is Power." We all need constant education, training and reinforcement. Yetlrealize not all companies can afford to offer or are equipped to handle such training.

So, what to do? What was clear to me in the beginning of my current business life was that this industry by nature has been a hands-on training industry, as opposed to sending management and employees for job skills training. What also has become clear to me is that we live in an era where there is a need for more learning opportunities. We have lived through one of the most difficult times in business history. I can imagine many had issues to deal with that they were ill-equipped to handle, in addition to the many day-to-day issues we all face.

Many of our readers-managers, executives, salespeople, and managers-in-training-could benefit from a constant source of education. This should be general education and not just industry training.

Our magazine has over the years featured countless educational articles written by experts, but I have realized over the last six months that we need to do more. So, in the next couple of months, we will launch a new branded educational series aimed at not only executives and owners, but also the future managers in this industry.

It is also clear to me that not all employees see our publications when they arrive at your offices as many subscribers hoard them (normally great news). I ask that our magazines be passed around to those who would benefit. (Or, simply order more subscriptions!) Free digital issues are available on our website, building-products.com. In the near future, each magazine will have a QR code for a direct link to our publications as well. Our publications have always been a source of industry and product news for a combined 120 years, but now I want us to be your resource for executive education as well.

So, look out in the coming issues for our new "Mastering" series-two more good reasons to read and enjoy our publications. As we hit our 90th year in business next month, we want to be your resource for the next 90 years as well.

Alan Oakes, Publisher aioakes@aol.com

BPII Building Producls lligest

www.building-products.com

A publication of Cutler Publishing 4500 Campus Dr., Ste. 480, Newport Beach, CA 92660

Publisher Alan 0akes ajoakes@aol.com

Publisher Emeritus David Cutler

Director of Editorial & Production David Koenig dkoenig@building-products.com

Editor Karen Debats kdebats@building-products.com

Contributing Editors

Carla Waldemar, James Olsen, Jay Tompt

Advertising Sales Manager Chuck Casey ccasey@bu ild ing-products.com

Administration Director/Secretary Marie Oakes mfpoakes@aol.com

Circulation Manager Heather Kelly hkelly@building-products.com

How to Advertise

Chuck Casey

Phone (949) 852-1990 Fax 949-852-0231 ccasey@building-products.com

Alan Oakes ww. building-products.com

Phone (949) 852-1990 Fax 949-852-0231 ajoakes@aol.com.

CLASSIFIED MARKETPLACE

David Koenig

Phone (949) 852-1990 Fax 949-852-0231 dkoenig@building-products.com

How to Subscribe

SUBSCRIPTIONS Heather Kelly

Phone (949) 852-1990 Fax 949-852-0231 hkelly@building-products.com or send a check to 4500 Campus Dr., Ste. 480, Newport Beach, CA 92660

U.S.A.: One year (12 issues), $24 Two years, $39 Three years, $54 FOREIGN (Per year, paid in advance in US funds): Surface-Canada or Mexico, $49 Other countries, $65 Air rates also avaihbb.

SINGLE COPIES $4 + shipping BACK ]SSUES $5 + shipping

BUILDING PRODUCTS DIGEST is oublished monthly at 4500 Campus Dr., Ste. 480, Newport Beach, Ca. 92660-1872, (949) 852-1990, Fax 949-852-0231, www.buildingproducts.com, by Cutler Publishing, lnc. (a California Corporation). lt is an independently owned publication for building products retailers and wholesale distributors in 37 states East of the Rockies. Copyright@2012 by Cutler Publishing, Inc, Cover and entire contents are fully protected and must not be reproduced in any manner without written permission. All Rights Reserved. BPD reserves the right to accept or reject any editorial or advertising matter, and assumes no liability for materials furnished to it.