Masonry Magazine March 2005 Page. 57
said Michael Borden, who will serve as 2005 Chairman of Brick SouthEast. "Both organizations have made significant impact in their respected markets, and this new synergy will leverage the available intellectual capital, in-depth experience and expanded resources to provide a winning partnership for our members, consumers and ultimately the industry as a whole."
The merger provides member companies a range of growth opportunities and programs that can be utilized to help meet their unique needs, including expanded marketing and educational programs for consumers, builders and architects, as well as technical support to help serve the expanded territories.
The combined territories of BAC and SBI represent a major brick market area. Manufacturers in these states produce more than 50% of the U.S. brick supply. The new organization is made up of the largest and smallest brick companies in Industry News continued on page 56
A Real Success Story: MCAA's High School Recruitment Campaign
The "Check Out a Career in Masonry" High School Recruitment Campaign has experienced great success over the past few months. The high school guidance counselors who are currently part of our program have been receiving quarterly e-mail newsletters from MCAA, reminding them of our program's offerings (ie, career days, brochures, posters) and updating them on our online database and industry news.
As a result of this communication, we have received requests for hundreds of career day presentations across the country-more than ever before! In fact, we are finding it a challenge to keep up with the demand. This campaign is truly succeeding in its goal, and we are introducing masonry to hundreds of thousands of young people who have never been exposed to it before.
There are still over 500 schools that have requested the program but have not received it because they have not been sponsored. It is staggering to think of what we could accomplish if we added these schools and more to the program.
To get involved with this exciting program and help distribute programs to these schools, please contact Melissa Polivka, MCAA's Director of Membership and Director of Workforce Development, at mpolivka@masoncontractors.org or by calling (800) 536-2225.
Encourage From the Bottom Up
# MASONRY NEWS CONTRACTOR TIP
Do you have turmoil in your organization? Maybe just a little grumbling now and then? If so, do yourself a favor and determine if your upper managers are encouraging from the bottom up. Your upper managers (ie, best players) must constantly seek and even encourage the help of every other person on his or her staff to create a team. Even if the lower-level subordinates add very little to the situation at hand, your chances for success will be greatly increased. That's what we all want, isn't it? A team effort to succeed. This is a life lesson I learned by playing golf in four-man scrambles.
Each team in a golf scramble has an A player, a B, C and D. Although now I am considered an A player, it wasn't always that way. I can remember playing as a B, C or D player. I realized that when I was on a successful team, the A player greatly helped the team by encouraging the rest of the members. They would tell each team member, "You are doing a good job," even when they hit bad shots.
The one common thread on the winning teams I have experienced in my life was encouragement. So when I became an A player, I tried it for myself. You would not believe the scores that my teams have posted. Even when we were technically one of the teams least capable of winning, we have constantly posted good scores. And in turn, I win most of my bets.
My friends must be wondering how I keep doing it time after time. Really, it's simple. Every time one of the other players hits a bad shot, I say, "Don't worry about it. There are four of us, and all we need is one good shot." Every time, it seems one of the others hits that one good shot. And, if they don't, well, the A player usually hits the last shot, and then it's my turn. At that point, I have very little pressure on me. Why is that? Well, I just forgave everyone else for hitting a bad shot, and we are all in this together. So, I'm sure they will forgive me as well. With that pressure off, now the normally high-pressure shots are just one more team effort. Of course, this makes it much easier for me to hit a good shot.
If you're an upper manager or even an A player in golf, try this bit of advice sometime. I think you will find you'll have the support of your team in the worst times, as well as during the best, and get much better results. The grumblings will stop if encouragement is consistent and sincere throughout. Remember, the Bs and Cs are the As of tomorrow and sometimes, it's the D player who surprises us all.
Provided by Damian Lang, President of Lang Massery Contractors, Inc. and EZ Grost Corp.
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The Voice of the Mason Contractor
March 2005
Masonry
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