Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/80263
job and will have a better handle on the items required to fill out your progres- sion. As an added bonus, a clear progres- sion is a great way to attract new blood into the organization. Let's face it,most of us didn't go to school with the inten- tion of entering the wholesale distribu- tion industry.Unless youwere born into it, it probably didn't cross the radar early on. Most of us started working summers in a warehouse, came back after we graduated with the full inten- tion of this being a short-term gig until we found our "real" career. The years flew by and all of a sudden you found yourself reading trade magazines and association newsletters—go figure. While this situation may have matched many of my contemporaries, I don't think the modern distributor can rely on this method of filling their ranks. Good distributors need to do a lot less hiring and start doing a lot more recruiting.What I mean by this is that we are going to have to offer some- thing more than a job and a paycheck. The newest generation of employees is looking for an opportunity that pro- vides a constant stream of new chal- lenges. If they perceive monotony, they will go elsewhere. Do we have a con- The Food Shield continued challenges they will face as a result. 3. If you know in advance that inspec- tors in a certain jurisdiction are likely to require adjustable food shields be weld- ed, or locked into place, you can value engineer the project toward non- adjustable food shields that are much less expensive to a manufacturer. The savings for your customer could be sig- nificant. 4. If these issues concern you, voice those concerns through industry trade groups and letters to your local health officials, city councils, and state regula- tors. Where breath protection is still deemed necessary, code requirements should be rolled back to 2002 levels, which provided more reasonable access. On the flip side, if protecting food fromsneezes and coughs is truly an objective, then there shouldn't be stant stream of challenges in distribu- tion? Do people move through the ranks of the organization at a fairly rapid pace?We can fulfill this need for constant stimuli.We just need to learn how to sell it. You will always be faced with the need to replace personnel in your organization—whether by choice or by happenstance. By creating a formal process for moving and educating your employees through a progression, you insure that you are constantly generat- ing a bullpen of promotable talent. u About the Author Jason Bader is the managing partner of The Distribution Team, a firm that spe- cializes in helping distributors become more profitable through operating effi- ciencies.The first 20 years of his career were spent working in distribu- tor operations.Today, he is a regular speaker at industry events and spends much of his time working with indi- vidual distribution companies. For more information, call (503) 282-2333 or contact him by e-mail at Jason@Distributionteam.com.Also visit The Distribution Team's website at www.thedistributionteam.com. exceptions for temporary events such as banquets or receptions. On the positive side, customers are accustomed to seeing food shields in cafeteria style self-service applications and a clean,well-maintained food shield may provide them with a level of confi- dence that food safety is a priority throughout the facility. A well-designed food shield with integral lighting and heat lamps complements custom coun- ters and countertops, which helps cre- ate a visually appealing display of the food as well as the facility making the overall dining experiencemore pleasant for the customer.u About the Author Foster Frable Jr. is the president of Consulting and Design Firm Clevenger Frable LaVallee, Inc. inWhite Plains, N.Y. To reach him, call 914- 997-9660. S t y l i s h l y S e r v e d H o r s d ' o e u v r e s Your first stop for everything tabletop. From everyday essentials to fashionable serving ware, the extensive TableCraft® line of tabletop products deliver the function you demand with the style you want. And you will find just the quality items you need in stock and ready for prompt delivery. For a free catalog, call 800.323.8321 or visit tablecraft.com. Follow us on facebook/tablecraft.com. . ©2012 TableCraft ProductsCompany, Inc. September/October 201 2 31