Page 16 - Mar-Apr-2020 - Reporter

leadership

within the building materials industry

by Stephen Borer, TalentSphere Staffing Solutions

he breadth and depth of the building Long-term planning is also affected by to understand the implications for their own
Tmaterials industry makes writing an the demographic makeup of the building business whilst strategic enough to take
article on ‘leadership’ difficult to be relevant materials industry. It is not wrong to say advantage of any opportunity they might
to everyone. For example, the role of CEO that the industry is dominated by white present.
of a global, publicly traded manufacturing males in their 50’s to 60’s; and it’s safe Technology continues to have a large
business differs considerably from being to suggest that both of our hypothetical impact on the building supply industry.
the owner of a small LBM retail business in leaders fall into this category. This is a ERP systems, CRM systems, accounting
a rural community. However, by examining problem when we consider succession systems, HRIS systems, websites, social
the similarities instead of focusing on the options at every level of the organization. media and others are all changing and
differences of these roles, we are hopefully Where is our next generation of leaders? evolving. Every organization across the
able to draw conclusions that are applicable Where is our next generation of workers? industry is having to adapt and adjust to
across the industry in defining what good With the changing demographic of the realise the opportunities presented by each
leadership looks like. workforce in Canada and without an of these innovations. The leaders of building
Both of our hypothetical leaders will be industry that is attractive to everyone materials businesses might not need to
facing similar challenges. regardless of sex, race or age, we cannot be able to write code, but they certainly
The soft housing market in Canada is one expect to continue to build successful must understand technology well enough
such challenge. 2019 seems to have been businesses in the future. to know what and how to leverage the
better than many predicted at the turn of The structure of the industry advantage that technology can provide.
the year, and 2020 seems to be starting with domestically also seems to be presenting When you add business specific
a little more optimism. However, no one is challenges for many leaders as it rapidly challenges involving people, processes,
predicting a return to the boom times yet changes. Buying groups are becoming more customers, machinery, geography, unions,
and we still look enviously at the US market, aggressive both in attracting new members branding, local economy, competition
which seems to continue with aplomb. With and in the ways that they are looking to and suppliers, etc., you realise the great
the world seemingly less stable than it has negotiate with suppliers. Building Code is demands that rest on the shoulders of
been for years, long-term planning is for all changing allowing new and faster types of leadership within our industry. If the
leaders incredibly challenging, especially construction which has knock on effects on industry is to continue to be successful,
now with the severe impact on our economy the supply of building products. Our leaders it needs leaders that can handle these
from the COVID-19 Virus.” need to be close enough to these changes ongoing challenges and that are able to
16 LBMAO Reporter - March-April 2020 www.lbmao.on.ca