Metal Construction News, May 2016

INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVE Learn and Rejuvenate your Business at the MBCEA Conference By Mike Reynolds President MBCEA I know this column is about the Metal Building Contractors Erectors Association MBCEA but I dont want to talk about MBCEA I want to talk about business and the bottom line All the reports we read in this magazine and hear from the Metal Building Manufacturers Association MBMA are that business is up Speaking for the erectors and contractors I have to agree 2015 was a good year and 2016 is looking to be even better The problem is too many of us spend all our time working IN our business and we do not have time to work ON our business You know what I mean You get that invite to an MBCEA chapter event or a Metal Construction News webinar It sounds good like something that might add value to your business but you push it to the side and never get around to registering Then more time slips by and for all your good intentions it is too late You missed this opportunity to access free training to network with your peers and competitors and to improve your business I know we all do it We have good intentions but then there is a problem on the job site or a new bid to prepare and work gets in the way of you managing your company Its hard but you can change The 47th annual MBCEA conference is coming up in May This is the perfect opportunity to combine work with play Clearwater Fla is a great location Bring a few key members of your team and think of it as a strategic retreat Bring the family and sneak in a few vacation days Connect with colleagues Learn from the best Recharge your batteries Whatever it takes to make it work for you Just do it The conference opens with an optional golf game a workshop for AC478 accreditation and a cocktail party On Friday Brad Curtis chairman of MBMA and operations manager of Tyler Buildings Tyler Texas and Dan Walker executive director of MBMA will provide some insight to the state of the industry We will then run two tracks of classes Some highlights include Selling the Benefi ts of Energy Effi cient Metal Building Systems by Tim Kessel Bay Insulation Green Bay Wis Insulation Installation Techniques for an Air Tight Envelope by Bill Beals Therm All North Olmsted Ohio R C Antal of ATAS International Allentown Pa will present an AIA CES course on insulated metal panels New for this year we will market this program to local architects and engineers Fall Protection by Scott Quinters Spider Staging Seattle Installation of IMPs by Arnold Corbin Metl Span Lewisville Texas This includes a live mock up Josh Quinter and Karin Corbett of the construction law fi rm Kaplin Stewart Meloff Reiter Stein Philadelphia will provide three unique classes Leading the Way Leadership skills for effective management Focus on core concepts that could be applied by company owners project supers and foreman alike Contract Clauses that Kill will highlight the contract clauses that typically are the subject of litigation and how to address them Expect to hear war stories about prior litigation experiences Documenting Your Project Help foremen understand why management requires project documentation so you can ensure you get paid Many of our sessions are offered simultaneously so we urge you to bring a colleague We have one more session that is sure to be exciting David Gochenaur Merit Builders Rocky Ridge Md was an early adopter of AC478 He also has the good fortune to have a brilliant young IT person on staff Joaquin Rodriguez Dave charged Joaquin with creating a technology platform the fi eld staff could use would meet the standards of AC478 would facilitate company training initiatives and would be paperless Merit is coming to our conference to demonstrate their system The goal of this session is to open our minds to the potential for how technology can be used to improve our business and bottom line Think about a paperless offi ce I know I am impressed For those of you who think AC478 is all about paper Merit is a perfect example that it is not It is about how you run your business planning and preparation and doing things the right way every time AC478 inspires a discipline of looking at your business and making sure you are operating as effi ciently and effectively as possible The conference and AC478 have so much more to offer Check them out on our website www mbcea org My point in bringing them up is simple This industry has been good to me but I can honestly say you get out of it what you put into it My business is stronger as a result of my association with the MBCEA I have a powerful network of friends and colleagues that I can call for advice a crew help with a job or just to shoot the breeze Life is too short to keep your head buried in your work Take the time to work on your business Take advantage of opportunities presented by the MBCEA to grow your business train your staff and expand your network Paul Deffenbaugh Metal Construction News editorial director said it well His comments on growth in the January 2016 issue ended with Do yourself a favor Schedule time to focus on those tasks that will ensure the long term stability of your business Because if all you do is put out fi res eventually you will run into a confl agration that you wont be able to quench What are you waiting for Register for the conference work on your AC478 application attend a chapter meeting schedule time to make things happen Your business and bottom line will thank you Mike Reynolds president of the Metal Building Contractors and Erectors Association is the president and principle owner of Systems Contractor Inc Thornton Colo He also serves on the board of directors for the Steel Erectors Safety Association of Colorado and Metal Building Institute Recognized for his extensive knowledge and expertise in both structural steel and metal building systems he also serves on the erection and safety advisory panels for several building system manufacturers To learn more about the MBCEA visit www mbcea org www metalconstructionnews com 8 METAL CONSTRUCTION NEWS May 2016