IT'S TIME FOR THE HEAVY LIFTING!

The first Strategic planning committee meeting was held virtually on September 27th, 2022. Since that meeting, the strategic planning committee has met monthly. Discussions were mainly held virtually, with one in-person meeting during the IHLA convention in February. The commitment to the process outlined by Dallin Brooks by both NHLA staff and committee members has been impressive! Thank you to all involved. Excellent questions have been asked; old theories have been tested; new ideas have been embraced and discarded, and a new NHLA strategic plan has emerged out of the refining process!

“Be real and adjust your strategy according to honest results”

- Charles Caleb Colton

I found this quote quite accurate as I have thought back over the past several months of meetings about the strategic planning process. All aspects of NHLA have been reviewed with a critical eye. New objectives are being adopted for education services, marketing, networking, lumber services, and the inspector training school. NHLA is now better prepared to move forward, react, and adapt to the ever-changing hardwood lumber environment, all while remaining steadfast to the goal of the NHLA: grow and stabilize the hardwood industry!

While I am grateful that the plan is completed, and adopted by the board and embraced by staff, now comes the heavy lifting for every one of us!

“Strategy is a commodity; execution is an art” -Peter Drucker

I certainly think we all can relate to Drucker’s quote. Whether it is a machinery installation or a new sales idea, the written and adopted strategy for success is only realized when individuals really care about its success and have been given the necessary tools to succeed. I have NO doubt that the NHLA staff and Dallin care about the success of the NHLA. Now we all need to give them the tools to succeed!

Reviewing your commitment to the NHLA both in terms of money and time, I encourage all of you to analyze how else you would individually procure the services, benefits, and results that NHLA, the Real American Hardwood Coalition, and the Hardwood Federation each successfully provide to your company. I investigated possible alternatives long ago, and I was unable to identify an efficient and economical path with similar benefits. NHLA delivers benefits and value that are unmatched in our industry. Now with a new and updated strategic plan, NHLA is poised to further enhance and serve our industry -- provided we all step up and equip them with the tools to create the art, which is the successful implementation of great ideas and innovative services!

I encourage you all to please review your personal and your companies’ commitment to NHLA regarding your money and time. The collection of strategic planning committee members and the process we went through really showed me yet again that NHLA’s membership is the Association’s greatest asset!

Thank you for taking the time to read my letter. Best wishes to you, your families, and your businesses. I look forward to supporting NHLA, RAHC, and the Hardwood Federation together as an entire industry.

Jon Syre NHLA Chairman | Cascade Hardwood