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Foster/Austin to author disaster preparedness book

STAFDA has signed business systems expert Mike Foster, of the Foster Institute, and STAFDA's Insurance consultant, Doug Austin, Sentry Insurance, to research and write a book on disaster preparedness to be released in the fall. The book will be a one-two punch that members will hopefully never need -- but should disaster strike, it will be a critical reference while getting the business up and running again. This new training manual joins Greg Gorman's upcoming STAFDA Manual on Showroom Merchandising in continuing the trilogy of training manuals STAFDA has introduced the past few years: Counter Pro, Sales Pro, and Foundations of a Business.

Foster's portion of the book will address a company's "business continuity plan" with subtopics including: critical products; services and operations; critical phone numbers; disaster response checklist; employee contact list; equipment, machinery, vehicle evacuation; facility shutdown; hazard mitigation; hazardous materials; hurricane tracking; maps; impact analysis; initial damage assessment; key supplier/vendor information; planning preparation; record preservation; recovery; shelter; vital records; voice/data communications; vulnerability survey and more.

Austin will cover what to do after a disaster strikes your business and how to anticipate the types of questions insurance adjusters will ask. His section will also cover safety and liability related issues that companies can put in place to ward off potential lawsuits. A core component to Sentry's business is the distribution channel and Austin has a thorough understanding of the STAFDA market.

STAFDA Atlanta workshop speakers named

During its 33rd annual convention and trade show, Nov. 8-10, in Atlanta, STAFDA will offer attendees four educational workshops on Sunday, Nov. 8.

Greg Gorman will discuss the research he conducted in writing STAFDA's Visual Merchandising book. He is currently visiting a number of STAFDA distributors across the country and critiquing their showrooms. All successful businesses have structured plans for marketing their products. Dan McQuiston will tackle "Creating a Winning Marketing Plan" during his presentation. Robert Stevenson will discuss "How to Soar Like an Eagle in a World Full of Turkeys." He'll site several examples of people being turkeys - those arrogant, over-bearing, demanding and obnoxious customers, bosses, associates, and relatives. Then he'll provide practical ways on how to deal with them. In this struggling economy, it takes strong tactics to survive - let alone grow your business. Steve Strauss' presentation, "Small to Big," will outline growth strategies, goal setting and achieving, creating a great team, and more.

You must be a STAFDA member to participate.

For more information

For membership or additional information on STAFDA, contact Catherine Usher, member services director, STAFDA, P.O. Box 44, Elm Grove, WI 53122; phone 262-784-4774 or 800-352-2981; e-mail cusher@stafda.org, or visit our website at www.stafda.org.

Tilt-Up Concrete Association

TCA adds LEED directories to website

The Tilt-Up Concrete Association (TCA) has added Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Accredited Professionals (APs) and Certified projects directories to their website (www.tilt-up.org).

The LEED Green Building Rating System, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, provides standards for environmentally sustainable construction. LEED encourages global adoption of building sustainable green building. LEED APs are required to understand the LEED Green Building Rating System before they can become accredited.

For more information about LEED Certified Projects, visit http://www.tilt-up.org/build/leed_projects.html.