Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/66147
Industry Insights Consider UID and Invest in Your Best M any in our industry have heard the sage advice of Dr. Al Bates, the guru of profitability. A few Jim Pieper, Assistant General Manager Ace Mart Restaurant Supply jim@acemart.com years ago I had the privilege to attend a class he taught at the University of Industrial Distribution (UID). I happen to be a numbers guy but even for those who aren't, he makes income state- ments exciting as he shows the differ- ence one dollar makes when applied at specific points in the profitability equa- tion. I even use his teachings when interviewing applicants: "Which has more profit, an extra dol- lar of sales or saving a dol- lar of cost?" Most ponder and reply that they are the same but for those who attended Dr. Bates' UID class,we know the differ- ence. Applying an accounting principle to a job inter- view is just one example of how the UID experi- ence permeates through several aspects of day-to-day performance. As I look back, I can easily see the impact UID has had on my career.Where once leery of making presentations, after spending a day attending Dr. Stephen Boyd's class "The Power of the SpokenWord, "I have more confidence and specific tools to effectively communicate the message. As leaders, we know that nothing is more important than effective commu- nication and I owe much of my success to Dr. Boyd and UID. It is the premier training program for our industry and anyone wanting to succeed should attend. As our industry is poised to rebound from the recession, we can look back and note what helped us through the last several years. Perhaps it was a key client, help from a good banker, or a large rainy day fund. But in most cases, it was the performance of key employ- 6 FEDA News & Views ees who guided us through the choppy economic seas. Just imagine if you had a few more of these superstars in your department, company, and in our indus- try? I often wonder just how great it would be if I could just clone a fewgreat employees. While cloning will be left for future As leaders, we know that nothing is more important than effective communication and I owe much of my success to Dr. Boyd and UID. generations, we can still make better employees now. I encourage you to think long term and invest in employee development. Consider the University of Industrial Distribution.EveryMarch it offers a four-day session led by some of the most sought after industry authorities and everyone in your business—from novices to veterans and accounts receivable to warehouse manage- ment—will benefit from the experience. Even more enticing is the fact that FEDA offers 20 scholarships every year. It is simply too good to pass up. I have attended twice: once as a rookie in our industry and then later with 12 years of experi- ence under my belt. In both cases, I came back from UID with great ideas to implement, personal resources to draw upon,and a motivation to better myself, my company, and our industry. As I write, seven Ace Mart associates are attending UID, many recipients of a FEDA scholarship. I eagerly anticipate hearing their experiences and how it will improve their performance.And for thosewho took Dr.Bates'class, they can explain how saving a dollar of cost is better than an extra dollar of sales.u