Utilizing the ABC Directory and Referral Lists as a Member BenefitSpirited Debate at National Board MeetingAsk a Professional: Mel DePaoli, OmicleABC of Western Washington Represented at UW ASIC EventABC Cares: Rebuild with Rebuilding Together
It is that time of year again, the 2010-2011 ABC Membership Directory has arrived! Every spring ABC starts to collect data to produce the annual directory to be used by members as a handy reference guide to the Western Washington membership. Directories were handed out at the June dinner meeting and will continue to be distributed to all current members via mail and through member visits. We will look forward to visiting you soon.
In addition to the directory, ABC/WW offers to pull referral lists for our members and non-members (at no charge). Are you aware that often non-member companies call looking for referrals for contractors when they are working on bidding a project? Many of these non-member companies are ABC members in other states looking for local contractors to bid a project in Washington State. We are happy to refer out our members and hope that you have received the opportunity to bid on a project from a referral.
ABC can also pull specific lists for our members for no charge. For instance, if you are looking for a list of all ABC mechanical contractors we are happy to provide our members with that information or even a general list of all sub-contractors. Just give us a call and we will try to provide you with what you are looking for regarding referrals.
Directories are available in print and on a CD for your convenience. For more information, a referral list or any questions, please contact Member Services Manager Kim Trautman at (800) 640-7789.
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ABC values its core principals, free enterprise and free choice, more than most associations. That was evident at the ABC National Board of Directors meeting last month in Washington, D.C. The topic was whether ABC should continue its discount program with General Motors since GM is now owned by the federal government, and to a lesser extent, the auto workers union.
At the March board meeting, the question was raised from the floor by Carole Bionda (The Nova Group), a past national chair. The Board of Directors agreed to review the agreement with GM and make a recommendation to the full board at the June meeting. The board recommended a continuation of the agreement, stating that individual members could decide if they wanted to support GM but that the option should be available. Pros and cons were voiced from the floor and then discussed more fully at smaller regional breakout meetings. The primary point of discussion was that GM is now owned by the federal government and is in direct competition with private sector auto makers, in violation of free enterprise principles.
When the vote was taken, the majority voted to accept the Executive Committee’s recommendation, continue the discount agreement and allow individual members to decide if they wanted to purchase GM or other vehicles.
This was the most spirited debate the 200+ member board of directors has had in a few years, proving that ABC is willing to discuss key issues openly and that large boards can, when necessary, take on contentious issues.
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What traits or characteristics would be apparent in a construction company that has truly achieved ‘company excellence?’
This is a great question. The simple and direct answer would be the standard buzzwords thrown out by just about everyone: honesty, integrity, personal service, and respect for and an understanding of customer needs. But what do these words really mean, and do they truly reflect “company excellence”? Just throwing out terms is not enough to define company excellence. What is missing are the actions behind the words. Anyone can claim that they are honest (and most likely they are), but what actions do they take to demonstrate that honesty? What is behind the words and how a company reflects those values truly determines excellence.
The truly excellent companies I have encountered are run by executives (or owners) who exhibit true leadership – focusing on employee involvement. They are completely customer centric. The desire to respect and understand customer needs results in constant process improvement and a thirst for customer feedback – not just a sense of obligation to hear from them. This can be thought of as a culture of learning.
Specific traits or characteristics that are apparent to an excellent company’s clients include being encouraged to verify their legal requirements (Honesty? Don’t take our word for it, check it out and here is how you do that). These companies encourage potential clients to visit job sites and to speak with past clients. They have practices that are generally invisible to a client but absolutely critical to top performance, including regular meetings, continual training for all employees, an open environment where employees are encouraged to take ownership of their work and their input truly does make a difference.
The traits and characteristics then become obvious. What is important and truly defines excellence is how the company incorporates them into their culture.
Mel DePaoli is the founder and president of Omicle, a change management company. She works with companies on how the core of their business directly affects the perception of their brand, which in turn affects their bottom line, specializing in the construction industry. She is the author of CONTRACTORS: Doing it Right Not Just Getting it Done, Hiring a Contractor, and Contagious Think Pad. You can contact her at mel@omicle.com or learn more about her work with construction companies at www.ContractorsDoingItRight.com.
Do you have a question you would like to ask a professional? If so, email Kim Trautman.
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The Associated Students in Construction (ASIC), a group of University of Washington construction management students, hosted a successful first time fundraiser at the newly refurbished Sand Point facility on June 9th.
The event featured beer tasting from local breweries and examples of innovative new construction techniques. Most importantly, it was a great opportunity to visit with UW’s brightest construction management students and network with other construction industry professionals.
ABC President Kathleen Garrity and Vice President of Government and Labor Affairs Aran Buchan attended the event. Also in attendance were ABC members Bob Jayne (Oles Morrison Rinker & Baker LLC), Jamie Creek (Synergy Construction, Inc.), Judy Jewell (Olympian Precast, Inc.), Matt Brandt (Terril, Lewis and Wilke), and J.P. Wittman (S.M.E., Inc. of Seattle).
Some of the interesting demonstrations included examples of pervious concrete which allows water to flow though the concrete, and a green wall – a twist on the green roof idea, with native species of plants growing in the actual wall, not just on it.
A variety of local micro-brews were available for tasting. Your $20 admission also included a barbeque pork dinner. John Schaufelberger, the chair of the construction management department, was the featured speaker. Dr. Schaufleberger is also a judge for ABC’s annual Excellence in Construction Awards competition.
Photo caption: John Schaufelberger, Ph.D., P.E. (left) and ASIC President Kyle Hughes welcome guests to the UW ASIC beer tasting fundraiser.
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In February, ABC’s Young Professionals Group and Rebuilding Togther’s Young Professionals Society (YPS) held a joint event where the two groups raised almost $1,000 for Rebuilding Together's YPS Inaugural Rebuilding Day, which is being held on August 14th from 9:00 am – 3:30 pm in White Center.
Rebuilding Together Seattle is a non-profit organization that counts on volunteers and charitable contributions to repair or rebuild homes at no cost to low-income homeowners, particularly those who are elderly, disabled or families with children. To learn more about Rebuilding Together, visit their Website at http://rtseattle.org.
Rebuilding Together’s YPS is looking for volunteers to help out on this project. If you or your company would like to provide skilled labor or donate project materials to this project, please contact John Hanks at JHanks@swinerton.com.
If you are unable to volunteer and would still like to make a donation, please visit http://rtseattle.org/make_donation.php.
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