It`s a New Generation: Skills of Woodworkers

NEWSLET TER OF THE ARCHITECTURAL WOODWORK INSTITUTE
MAY 2015 | VOL. 66 , NO. 5
It’s a New Generation:
Attracting & Retaining Your Most
Valuable Resource
A
PART TWO OF A SERIES
s we continue exploring the characteristics
and differences of
various generations
working together, Cam Marston, the
leading expert on generational change
and its impact on the marketplace,
shares his expertise about attracting
and retaining your most valuable
resource – your employees.
Mr. Marston will deliver a provocative, amusing, and informative
presentation on September 29 in
his keynote address, “Attracting
Cam Marston
and Retaining a New Generation of
Employees,” at the AWI 63rd Annual Convention in Salt Lake City.
Learn about the generational characteristics that are critical for
the success of your operation.
Recap of Generations
Baby Boomer (Born between 1946 and 1964): competitive, “workaholic”, results-oriented; relationship-focused; personally fulfilled by
workplace contributions; optimistic; nonconformist.
Generation X (Born between 1965 and early 1980s): independent;
often aloof and distant; less engaged with the team and more engaged
with their work; fans of flexibility and work-life balance.
Generation Y or Millennial (Born in 1980 and later): collaborative; want to know agenda, training from whom, when and what
they will learn; tech-savvy; nonconformist; multi-taskers; seeking
personal satisfaction in their work.
continued on page 8
Skills of Woodworkers
Dovetail With 3form
Product Installation Needs
“Architects are seeking more complex materials and applications to integrate into their projects
to boost their ‘wow’ factor,” 3form Director of
Fabrication Sales & Technology Kevin Fisher told
NewsBriefs recently.
“Design components like translucent resin and
glass panels, striking lighting features, structural
steel, and three dimensional product lines require
On September 28,
learn more about what
Architects and Designers
want for their projects –
and discover how
to deliver it.
continued on page 4
W H AT ’S I N S I DE
Business Tools............................... 2,3,6,7
AWI News..............................................3,7
AWI Sponsors...........................................3
Convention Watch........................... 4,5,8
AWI Learning Forums.............................7
Coming Next Month
• Convention Watch
• Best Practice Groups
• Education Outreach
Skills USA : OFFICIAL SPONSOR FOR 2015
ConsensusDocs : ENDORSED BY AWI
AWI NewsBriefs l AWI’s monthly newsletter is published as a service for members to help them improve
operations and grow their businesses. NewsBriefs is also a resource for news and information about AWI’s
products, programs and publications and other membership benefits and services. •
© 2015 - Architectural Woodwork Institute
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JOIN THE DISCUSSION!
Connect on New AWI Online Community
H
elping members
connect in multiple
different ways and
giving them many
BUSINESS TOOLS
communications tools on which they
can rely facilitates AWI members’ ability to stay connected easily.
“The purpose of the Board’s approval
for an online AWI member community
is to provide members with a convenient connection and communication
channel between other AWI members
and AWI National,” said AWI Executive
Vice President Philip Duvic. “The origins of the initiative evolved from AWI’s
Preferred Futures Statement #3 which
states, ‘AWI uses new technologies for
different types of member-to-association
and member-to-member engagement
and to deliver products and services.’”
To achieve these goals, AWI has developed an online community resource,
which will be a big benefit
to members.
Benefits of Participation
Locate AWI National events, chapter
events, webinars, and all online
community forums.
•
The resource will replace the AWI
Group in LinkedIn.
• C entralize and share files in
“libraries” (e.g. committee members).
• C ommunicate in private forums
(e.g., Best Practice Groups), thereby
facilitating exchange of information.
• S hare specialized expertise about
business, woodworking, etc.
• Q uestion convention, webinar, and
other forum presenters about their
area of expertise.
• V iew participants in various
communities.
• R educe e-mail communications.
All the communities will be at the
disposal of AWI members, with the
exception of some communities, such
as Best Practice Groups and committees, which will have “closed” forums,
allowing for exclusive use by relevant
participants.
User Friendly Design
The AWI Online Community is designed with intuitive-driven functionality, allowing tech-savvy members as
well as those who are more technologically challenged to jump in and make
connections. Exploration of the site
and participation will be possible in the
following ways:
• Import your profile from LinkedIn
• Post a Message
• Start a Blog
• Share a File
• Share a YouTube Video
• Share a Web Link
• Join a Community
Joining / Participating
Because the online community will integrate with the database and the AWI
Web site, all AWI Manufacturing and
Suppliers Members automatically will
be signed up by AWI. You will access
the online community at mycommunity.awinet.org using your AWI
Username and Password. Create or
update your profile to help other AWI
members locate you more easily.
Exclusive Member Benefit
This new service is available free of
charge strictly for AWI members to
participate. However, non-members
will be able to see the general content in
view-only mode.
Those members with more limited
time and funds for involvement in faceto-face forums will discover how easy
it can be to make connections online,
engage in discussions, and learn what
• P articipate in discussions about
industry issues, woodworking, etc.
2
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AWI NEWS
is happening in the industry. The AWI Online Community will facilitate communication,
participation, and engagement without a cost investment, except for time. The forums
will be open 24/7 thereby allowing members to participate online, anytime. “This new
New AWI
Members
MANUFACTURERS
Chadwick Industries
Huntertown, IN
service will be a great way for small shops to connect with other AWI members without
incurring travel expenses,” said Liz DiFiore, AWI Community Relations Manager.
Launch Date
“The AWI Online Community is currently being beta-tested as NewsBriefs goes
to press. It was officially announced and demonstrated at the AWI Chapter
Officers Council forum during the AWI Spring Leadership Meeting, April 27-28 in
Indianapolis,” Ms. DiFiore said.
AWI committee volunteers are expected to initially and readily embrace the
capabilities of the AWI Online Community. As members-at-large test the site, they
are expected to migrate from AWI LinkedIn as a first step in embracing this new
communications service.
So, give it a test drive at mycommunity.awinet.org. Maximize the value of
your AWI membership by taking advantage of the vast network of AWI members.
Asking or answering questions and participating in discussions will help make your
company become more visible – and that’s good for business!
Questions about the new AWI Online Community may be directed to AWI
Community Relations Manager Liz DiFiore at ldifiore@awinet.org. Meanwhile,
stay tuned for announcements in upcoming issues of AWI e-briefs, AWI’s semimonthly e-letter. z
Founding Sponsor
Sustaining Sponsor
Fixture Contracting
Company, Inc.
St. Louis, MO
Handcraft Cabinetry, Inc.
White Plains, NY
Millwork 360, LLC
Tampa, FL
Virginia Casework
Corporation
Alexandria, VA
SUPPLIER
Casewood, LLC
Rochester, WA
Note: These new members joined
AWI in March 2015.
Use the online Directory of AWI
Manufacturing and Supplier
Members at www.awinet.org for
contact information and access to
the Web sites of these and other
AWI members. The resource is open
24/7 for use in seeking manufacturers and suppliers of architectural
woodwork.
Level 2 Sponsors
2015 AWI Sponsors
Level 3 Sponsors
Level 4 Sponsors
)
)
AWI thanks its 2015 Sponsors
whose support helps AWI to
fund its programs, publications and other services for
members. Visit www.awinet.
org to contact our sponsors
whenever a need arises for
their services.
3
CONVENTION WATCH
Skills of Woodworkers ... (cont. from page 1)
careful and exacting installation,” Mr. Fisher advises.
“Architectural Woodworkers have the skill level
needed to install and work with 3form solutions.”
Kevin Fisher will be a speaker during the AWI 63rd
Annual Convention, April 27-29, 2015 in Salt Lake
City, Utah. His presentation on September 28 will
focus on “3form Solutions”. Learn more about what
Architects and Designers want for their projects – and
discover how to deliver it.
Educating Architects
3form, a leading manufacturer of award-winning,
sustainable building materials and architectural
hardware solutions for the architecture and design
industry, has over 80 sales representatives in the
U.S., Canada and Europe. They visit Architects and
Designers to develop project specifications. The 3form
sales reps partner with the Architects and Designers
to develop world-class designs involving translucent
material, lighting, fabrication and hardware solutions.
Mr. Fisher’s presentation will include insights from the
Architects and Designers gained while working with 3form
in the concept and design stage of their solutions. “3form
obtains renderings and in collaborative conversations with
Architects and Designers, we help them write specifications
that meet the design intent, create a look that Owners will
cherish and include the necessary support to insure the project’s success. 3form supplies Architects and Designers with
engineering capabilities, structural capabilities, and products
to achieve a fully fabricated solution ready to install. 3form
has 450 employees, 80 of which work at our 100,000 sq. ft.
fabrication facility.” Mr. Fisher said. Most of the firm’s
fabricators come from the architectural millwork industry, as
does Mr. Fisher.
Already Specified
“When a General Contractor is awarded a contract, 3form
is already specified. This leads the contractor to seek
a millworker who will be invited to bid on the millwork
package. Contractors and millworkers, who embrace
the design vision during the bidding stage, become the
forerunners during contract negotiations and align
themselves with the design team.”
“Once they are awarded the project, millworkers partner
with 3form to do portions of the fabrication, such as seaming
and heat forming. These processes in particular are more
difficult when using translucent resins, and the partnership
with 3form minimizes the risk for millworkers, who can
then integrate the 3form components into the final design
solution,” he said.
Gain insights from the Architects and Designers
while working with 3form in the concept and design
stage of their solutions.
4
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Once they are awarded the project, millworkers partner with 3form
to do portions of the fabrication, such as seaming and heat forming.
About 10-1/2 years ago, Mr. Fisher started 3form’s
fabrication group. “Responding to Architects’ and
Designers’ interest, we began backlighting our resin panels.
Architects and Designers also sought to understand the
opportunities for the 3form materials for interior design
applications. In response, 3form developed a ‘Ready-to-go’
program of prepackaged solutions in seven different application categories. The easy to specify and install
Architects and Designers, our sales force promotes the role of
the millworker who is needed for the installation success.”
“Honestly, the millworkers are our true customers as they
are the ones who purchase the material and help bring the
Designers’ and Owners’ dream into reality. We are committed to educating millworkers about application and installation solutions. For larger projects 3form facilitates hand-off
We are available as an EDUCATION RESOURCE
to woodworkers who require more knowledge on
application materials and processes.
packages include world class designs that are comprised of
fabrication drawings, engineering details and design intent.
“Ready to go” has evolved our applications into ‘thought
starters’, ready to inspire, thereby transforming each space
into a unique design element,” he said.
meetings with the actual installers to review the
job scope and talk about installation techniques in
working with resin.”
On the 3form Plant Tour during
AWI’s convention, AWI members will
visit the firm’s fabrication facility.
“Woodworkers will understand
that by partnering with 3form they
can help create
some of the most
unique projects around,”
Mr. Fisher concluded. z
Education & Partnership
“We are available as an education resource to woodworkers who require more knowledge on
application materials and processes. We
produce YouTube videos to help inform
contractors about our products and their
applications. Some of these include cutting, scribing, machining and sanding
resin materials, just to name a few.”
Mr. Fisher readily said, “Most installers don’t typically like to read instructions.
They will, however, watch a “YouTube”
video and can pick up on techniques that
will allow them to excel at installing 3form
SEPTEMBER 27-29, 2015
materials and solutions. Architectural
Woodworkers know how to install millwork and therefore have the skills to
install 3form products. When talking with
“3form Solutions”
Save the Date!
Presentation
Kevin Fisher
September 28, 2015
Plant Tour
September 29, 2015
Kevin Fisher is Director, Fabrication/Sales &
Technology for 3form, coming to the firm to
start its fabrication capabilities from Fetzer
Architectural Woodwork where he worked for
20 years. Nearly 13 years ago 3form developed in its present state as a manufacturer of
award-winning, sustainable building materials
and architectural hardware solutions for the
architecture and design industry. Examples of
installations at the firm’s Salt Lake City headquarters can be found at www.3-form.com.
5
BUSINESS TOOLS
Members Helping Members
through AWI Best Practice Groups
N
PART ONE OF A SERIES
ewsBriefs had an
opportunity recently to speak with
a seasoned member
of Best Practice Group #1, Steve Frei,
President of Pacific Cabinets, and Joe
McCormick, President of Advanced
Cabinets, a member of a new Best
Practice Group #11. The two company
owners first met 17 years ago when Joe,
a new woodworker, purchased a piece of
equipment from Steve. It led to a longstanding friendship between the two
competitors in the state of Idaho.
While their friendship evolved from
a business deal outside of AWI, many
other strong and supportive friendships
are formed within AWI, particularly
among members of the 13 operative
Best Practice Groups.
Decision to Join a BPG
NewsBriefs asked Joe and Steve what
prompted them to join an AWI Best
Practice Group. “I had attended a few
AWI events and had heard about AWI’s
Best Practice Groups,” Joe said. “I
was intrigued by the whole process. I
wanted to model my company after
larger companies. Gaining feedback
from peers and consulting with other
business leaders could help me reach
decisions and improve my business.”
Joe added that “understanding
processes and realizing efficiency gains
appealed to me.” Steve concurred.
6
Learning from Others
“We all have similar issues confronting us. During the troublesome and
lean years from 2008 to 2013, it was a
consolation to understand that others
were experiencing the same things
you were,” Steve said. As president of
a medium-sized business in BPG #1,
Steve said he learned about other aspects of woodwork specialties besides
casework which is the mainstay of
Pacific Cabinets. “It’s helpful to gain
insights about best practices employed
by your peers regardless of the size of
the businesses.”
During one of his group’s meetings, members talked about managing
bigger projects. “Despite the size of
some participating shops ($50 million contracts), we learned that larger
companies with a greater geographic
scope must be familiar with differences
in state laws. From an experience re-
Steve Frei
sulting from a claim that my company
had to drop, I learned to pay careful
attention to contract language – which
I gained appreciation for from larger
companies than mine. Managing larger
projects in multiple states requires
much more diligent contract and state
law reviews,” Steve said.
Expectations Realized
“Going into BPG #11, I expected to gain
experience, information and advice
from other successful woodworkers. I
wanted to engage with others by bouncing ideas back and forth and dialing into
processes. Lots of great ideas come
from the group. Our new BPG has met
twice and my expectations have been
successfully met,” Joe said. “Our members communicate via e-mails apart
from the meetings,” he added.
“If there was one surprise, it was
that all seven group members are confronted with the same challenges,” Joe
explained. “And while there are seven
people in our group, we find that we’ll
hear as many different perspectives on
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a given subject.”
Learn more about what Steve and
Joe had to say about steps in getting
acquainted, side-benefits of participation,
and group support in the June issue of
AWI NewsBriefs when Part 2 of this series
will run.
Thirteen AWI Best Practice Groups
are operating as peer mentoring forums.
For details about joining a group of noncompetitive members, contact Teresa
McCain at tmccain@awinet.org. Explore
how your business can benefit from these
support groups. z
Many strong
and supportive
FRIENDSHIPS
are formed within
AWI, particularly
among members
of Best Practice
Groups.
Advanced Custom Cabinets is a custom cabinet
and finishing company founded in 1998 which
is located in a 12,000 sq. ft. facility in Hayden,
Idaho. The company of 12 employees specializes in residential as well as commercial projects
ranging from banks, restaurants and schools, to
fire stations, retail shops and more. The firm has
been an AW Manufacturing Member since 2007.
www.advancedcabinets.net
Pacific Cabinets is a 35-year old company specializing in the custom fabrication of architectural casework and millwork for medical centers,
hospitals, laboratories, schools, and businesses.
The 30,000 sq. ft. plant with its 50 employees is
headquartered in Ferdinand, Idaho. The company has been an AWI Manufacturing Member
since 2000 and is a QCP-accredited firm. www.
pacificcabinets.com.
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Missed a Webinar?
Previously-Aired Sessions Accessible
AWI has organized an easilyLEARNING FORUMS
accessible library of previously
recorded webinars with their accompanying PowerPoint Presentations and is making it available at no charge to
members. This new archival resource of dynamic and informative sessions dating
back to 2012 on a range of business subjects is at your fingertips in the “Members
Only” section of the AWI Web site, www.awinet.org. The password-protected
area can be accessed using your Username and Password.
What will you find? More than 70 recordings are accessible under the following
webinar categories:
• AWS Talks
• Chapter Development
• CODBS
• Contracts
• e-Cost Book
• Green Talks
• QCP Talks
• Safety Talks
• Stiles
Presentations
•S
ales &
Marketing Talks
• Tech Talks
• Workforce
Development
Take advantage of this benefit of your AWI membership. Visit the site anytime
and gain at least one new idea from each webinar for immediate application in
your business. Continuous learning is good for you and for your business.
The recordings are usually available in the “Members Only” section about two
days following each presentation. z
Complete Your Membership Renewal
Some AWI G-Category Manufacturing
Members are late in completing and sending
in their dues renewal documents. AWI needs them to complete your renewal, and
equally important to maintain your membership at a lower dues rate.
Do it now; the deadline for returning completed forms to AWI is June 30, 2015.
AWI gives small business members (Gross Annual Sales less than
$500,000) a break. To validate your eligibility for G-Category Manufacturing
Membership Dues, however, please submit the small business program form
and the 2014 third party documentation that AWI requested earlier this year
during the 2015 membership renewal period. Without current documentation, AWI will be forced to revise your dues
category and raise your 2015 membership dues from $700 to a higher level
of $1,400. Help us help you. Send the information to AWI Chief Member
Services Officer Cassey Gibson at cgibson@awinet.org. z
AWI NEWS
7
It’s a New Generation... (cont. from page 1)
CONVENTION WATCH
For maximum effectiveness, recruiting,
hiring and retaining
employees should be
distinctly different
for each generation
of worker. Gen Xers
and Millennials need
to be motivated and
nurtured differently
to maintain not only
workplace balance
but also life balance,
which is important for
both groups.
A MILLENNIAL needs a
team environment and
GEN XERS are loners.
Gen Xers and Millennials
Boomers and Millennials have a lot a things they agree with.
“However, Gen Xers can aggravate Millennial turnover by
challenging them. Millennials have problems being managed by Gen Xers. A Millennial needs a team environment
and Gen Xers are loners. Gens Xers are not typically good
team leaders; they are more focused as special projects
workers. They should be good craftsmen, but they don’t do
a company any good as team leaders,” Mr. Marston advises.
Regardless, Gen Xers contribute to the positive reputation
of a company and its products.
“Millennials are eager to learn and harder to recruit.
Nurturing is important to them and working in a stimulating learning environment will entice them to stay longer.
As supervisors, Gen Xers typically leave Millennials to their
own devices. Millennials leave a job because of lack of effective and stimulating training on an ongoing basis.”
8
Mr. Marston cautions Boomers about their attention
to Millennials, which can inadvertently create animosity among Gen Xers who resent so much attention being
showered on the younger people who “know nothing”.
This uncomfortable situation is unfortunately common in
today’s workplace.
Demographics
During his keynote presentation, Mr. Marston will also address the delayed aging of the population. “People transition into adulthood at a later age,” he notes.
For example, Millennials are actually “younger” than
their age suggests. For Boomers and Gen Xers to understand Millennials, they must subtract seven from the actual
age of the Millennials to determine their “life-stage” age.
Mr. Marston will show the data that supports these demographic realities. He’ll share the success other organizations are having by acknowledging the demographics and
adapting their recruitment and retention tactics.
How do these facts apply to your workplace? Learn more
than this tip of the iceberg at the AWI convention where attendees will take away ideas from Mr. Marston’s insightful
presentation for immediate
application. z
Cam Marston is the leading
expert on the impact of generational change and its impact on
the marketplace. As an author,
columnist, blogger, and lecturer,
he imparts a clear understanding
of how generational demographics are changing the landscape
of business. Marston and his firm,
Generational Insights, have provided research and consultation
on generational issues to hundreds
of companies and professional
groups for over 16 years. His book,
Generational Insights, is a guide
to the best practices in managing
generational issues. This and other
books authored by Cam Marston
are available at www.cammarston.
com or through Amazon.
SEPTEMBER 27-29, 2015
Save the Date!
“Attracting & Retaining
a New Generation
of Employees”
Keynote Speaker:
Cam Marston
September 29, 2015
The Architectural Woodwork Institute
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NOTE: The Architectural Woodwork Institute (AWI) makes every effort to ensure that published information is accurate and current. Neither AWI, nor any content contributor, officer, or employee of AWI warrants the accuracy, reliability or timeliness of any information published in AWI NewsBriefs and/or AWI e-Briefs, nor endorses any products, services
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