MLA Lumber Industry News Express
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Here's the new issue of the Mid-America Lumbermens Association online newsletter. We'll send a new issue every two weeks to let you know what's happening in the industry, at your MLA, and in the world that affects your business. We welcome your opinions and ideas. If you have information you'd like to share with other members, we'd be happy to include it in our next issue. We welcome both personal and industry-related news - members would love to hear your news and views - so don't hesitate to email us with information.
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Scholarships Available Now!
Just two weeks left to apply
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The MLA scholarship program continues to be one of the most valued among all the Association services. Annually, the Missouri, Kansas and Arkansas state committees make funds available for scholarships to assist employees’ children and to support employees pursuing continuing education. These are grants – not loans – and do not need to be repaid.
To qualify for an award, complete and return the application. Be certain to send a current photo with the application for publicity purposes.
Deadline to apply is Friday, March 16, 2018.
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Bogus Numbers
If lumber prices are worrying you, the Census Bureau is here to tell you you're missing an even bigger story.
Source: LBM Executive, Greg Brooks, March 2, 2018
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Time to Consider the MLA MEP
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MLA has offered a “group” MLA 401(k) plan for members for more than two years. It is saving participating dealers on their fees and offering a great benefit to reward their loyal employees. If you haven’t taken a serious look at this program, now would be a good time. Find out why smart dealers are making the move to the MLA program. Call the MLA Hotline at 800-747-6529, or
click here to learn more
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Lumber News
Are Lumber Prices Killing the Housing Market?
January starts and permits are out, and we're off to a good start. Total U.S. starts were 1,326,000 (annualized), up 7.3 percent YoY. Maybe equally important, the numbers were oddly consistent: Starts and permits, both single- and multifamily, were all up between 7 percent and 7.5 percent YoY. It's rare to see all four growing at the same rate. Maybe that's a sign of a healthy housing market. Builders seem to think so, anyway.
Read more
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Source: Greg Brooks, LBM Executive, February 21, 2018
How to Have a Difficult Conversation with an Employee...
I was talking to one of our sons about a work situation he was dealing with. He’s a manager at an online retail company that is not too big but has grown over the last few years. There had been an ongoing issue with the shipping manager. Both our son and one of the owners were going to have a reset meeting with that person. Our son was looking for some advice. Here is what I offered him.
Read more
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Source: ProSales Magazine, February 26, 2018
The Power to Give Building Products Customers More Time...
Builders, contractors and other tradespeople embrace time savings and convenience as much as any consumer. Perhaps more so. So it’s not hard to envision
a service like Alexa
(or another tool, modeled after similar algorithms) that will help pros order products for the buildings they construct, remodel and repair. In fact, it’s already starting.
Source: Kleber & Associates, February 27, 2018
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Free Webinar: Hidden Dangers of Retaliation
We will identify the unexpected ways in which you, as an employer, may find the tables turned — that is, an employee claims retaliation after you've taken action to address a problem, such as performance, attendance, leave, or market conditions that have nothing to do with a particular employee or your decisions. We will identify the common elements of these claims and will give you some easy tools and ideas you can use to avoid or defend against retaliation claims.
When: Tuesday, March 20, 2018
Time: 1:00 p.m. CDT
This service provided courtesy of Federated Mutual Insurance Company, your association’s recommended insurer.
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Have You Checked Out the MLA Online Campus?
The MLA Online Campus provides you and your employees with high-impact, "real-world" training that develops your leaders, retains your best people and increases your customer loyalty. Each employee has a unique username to access the campus, which houses more than 700 courses on customer service, sales, leadership and more. Want to try a program for yourself?
Click here
to view an example. If you like what you see, contact us for a one-week trial subscription to see the hundreds of available courses.
Learn more
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The Last Word
"
Change is inevitable — except from a vending machine
."
- Robert C. Gallagher
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Mid-America Lumbermens Association | 800-747-6529 | 816-561-1249 (fax)| ruhler@themla.com |
Website
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