Page 6 - D13014 - LBMAO - Mar-Apr 2018 - Reporter - web

Message from the CHAIR

winter's over - spring has sprung!

assume you have all returned from your trips you may be there one year. Actually, some of us are
I to the south with your relative buying groups. a lot closer than others...right, Dave (Campbell)!
Home Hardware’s was in Los Cabos - great spot and At curling, I couldn’t help but overhear Durham
lots of fun with all the dealers, suppliers and staff. from Taiga (it’s not hard to overhear Durham at
You give your all to your suppliers and they go to any time) explaining to some of the newbies how
your event in the warm south with their spouses; great it is to go to these LBMAO events and meet
RON SCHELL and then a few weeks later they have to do it again the people in your industry. Durham, I thank you as
Schell Home Hardware with another group; and then another gruelling it is so true. (As a side unimportant note, Durham’s
Building Centre, time with a third group. These people deserve a team came last.)
Stouffville, ON big hand for their unselfish attitude and inspiring Golf is coming believe it or not. Check the
dedication! LBMAO’s website for dates and places.
Other great ways to meet your peers are at the And my favourite, the motorcycle/car/truck
LBMAO events. The sled day was sort of cancelled rally, will be in the Collingwood area this year.
due to lousy weather - but you know the shelves Again, check the LBMAO website for date and
in row 8 don’t contain all the nuts that are in your accommodations. Hope to see you there.
store. Some are behind the sales desk. Jane, J.D,
Dave Campbell, Steve Young, a bunch of Schells Please note: the names mentioned above have been
and others paid no attention to the weather and changed to protect the ignorant.
they went out to the hills and lakes of
"Educate your staff Haliburton Forest. Then after lunch A few friendly tips for your stores if you’re not
they went again! Darwin’s Theory of already doing them:
- see the LBMAO Evolution is proven once more. Many
website for thanks to LBMAO staff; Steve Young • Play music to kill the deadness but not too
(Kwik Mix) for his organization of this loud. Also no rock and roll, no elevator music -
training courses. event; and Steve and Sandy (mainly something in between;
It's valuable Sandy) for the lunch at their cottage. • Get to know your customers, not just the
Speaking of ice and not what is in owners, but also the guys and girls that show
information!" your drink, next up was the annual up every day. Use their first name when talking
curling bonspiel in Bradford. Eight to them;
teams fought it out for the championship. In the • Have fun, joke around – this creates a positive
end, two teams tied – Alex 1 and Alexandria Bob atmosphere for customers and fellow staff;
(sounds sort of fixed). My thanks go out to my lead • Educate your staff - see the LBMAO website for
from United Lumber (Barrie); Owen brought his training courses. It’s valuable information!
stick to push the rock instead of bending down and
lifting the 300 lb rock, sliding on a plastic one-foot
slider for 20 feet and then releasing the granite
rock...then picking your ass up to do it again. The
stick was beautiful; it’s like having wheels on
luggage, wheels on hockey bags, automatic car
windows, etc. Why does it take so long to figure out
these great ideas? You do know that the average
age of curlers is 102.
Speaking of age, your stores should think of
ideas that help the aging population. We offer
free delivery of water softener salt to the older
population in town; and we will even load up the
tank in their basement. You should try it because

6 LBMAO Reporter - March-April 2018 www.lbmao.on.ca