Acr Roundtable To Have An Open Forum On A New Organization !

[Beth n Rod]

HELLO FROM EASTON PA.

The Fall round table planning is well under way . we are currently finishing the agenda for this event .

WE WILL BE HAVING AN OPEN FORUM TO DISCUSS THE FORMATION OF A PRESSURE WASHING TRADE ORGANIZATION .

We anticipate that we will have quite a few industry experts on hand . Many of them have had extensive organizational experience in the industry.
They will be glad to answer your questions and discuss there experiences in the industry . Cujo Cooley , Brian Penny , Beth Borrego , John Tornabene and other industry leaders.

If this is something that a nucleus of contractors wants to move forward with . This is your opportunity to be involved as a charter member in an organization that YOU decide how to make it what you expect in an organization !

We need everyones input and ideas to make this what it should be !

Look for more information in the near future for the agenda for the fall
ACR ROUND TABLE SATURDAY NOVEMBER 17TH .



ACR Products Inc.
Tom & Barbara Vogel
Easton, PA
610-253-8005

Acr Roundtable To Have An Open Forum On A New Organization !

Don't miss this folks!

[hydro Tek Man]

I have received some calls and I would like to say that the people that were mentioned in the previous post are just a few, that will be coming to this event . It is an open forum that anyone can attend and bring together a great org. The body of the org. will decide who is going to run it , and how it is going to be run . My hope is that any past finger pointing and differences of opinion can be put aside so that anyone will have a say in this organization .

The calls that I have received today, indicate that some people are not interested in starting a new organization, if that is the case I will not waste anymore time on this idea. This is not an ACR ORGANIZATION . I am just providing a meeting place to see if this is something that you the contractors are interested in starting .

[Jack Kramer]

Tom, I agree a new organization for the power washing industry is needed.

Here are some of the basic things I feel a new organization would need to have in place to be successful:

1)The financials should be made public to all Members and maybe even non members
2)No board members can have conflicting business affiliations such as Distributorships, Manufactures, Education, Franchises …
3)All members are welcome
4)Create programs for establisher businesses
5)Annual Conference
6)A Logo with ideas to help sell the benefit to customers
7)Some type of accreditation for various aspects of power Washing

The purpose of this is to start the ball rolling. Please continue this list and fell free to comment in a positive way with any disagreements.

[Beth n Rod]

Originally Posted by Jack Kramer

Tom, I agree a new organization for the power washing industry is needed.

Here are some of the basic things I feel a new organization would need to have in place to be successful:

1)The financials should be made public to all Members and maybe even non members
2)No board members can have conflicting business affiliations such as Distributorships, Manufactures, Education, Franchises …
3)All members are welcome
4)Create programs for establisher businesses
5)Annual Conference
6)A Logo with ideas to help sell the benefit to customers
7)Some type of accreditation for various aspects of power Washing

The purpose of this is to start the ball rolling. Please continue this list and fell free to comment in a positive way with any disagreements.

Great start Jack.
Beth

[Don Phelps]

Sounds interesting.....

[John T.]

Great idea's Jack!! This is also a great Idea by Tom.

This needs to be discussed by many and in person. Get it all out there and lay it on the line what you think. Where all business people and in a gathering like this I think we will all be the professionals that we are. This post by Tom is what alot wanted to do in the past but it never came to fruition to actually have a live discussion and in person with a crowd with similiar passions.

By the end of the day the wheels could be turning there to move forward or not. There are other org's getting ready to start up and there are some that are becoming hugely successful with many members now that are Powerwashers such as the Water Jet Association.

I'm looking forward to this Roundtable to at the very least see some friends I've made on the Powerwashing bulletin boards ever the years. Cya's there.

[John Doherty]

Why not post it as a poll and determine interest that way?

[Tegrey]

A new organization sounds very interesting. I belong to a couple and it is always nice having an organization that supports its members. One for and by its members. I believe the best way to get started is finding exactly who and what the organization is and about. As far as peticulars, just look at other sucessful organization around you. What do they do and how do they do it. That would save many years of learning through the learning scale. That is what we did for our company. I know we speak and act like a 30 yr. + company, even though we are only ten years old. Folowing the example of sucessful organizations and people is an asset. Leadership should never be drawn from the buddy system. It needs highly motivated, educated folks to do the right thing. Picking leaders by vote of membership and turning the reins over to them is the way to go. Associates (Vendors) should not be the leaders as you said, but they must be involved daily as they know our business better than we do. They are propbaly one of the best assets of an organization. Just my thoughts. I'm looking forward to a viable represative in our industry. Thank You.

[tunatussle]

For input check with the SBA dept of local universities, many have guest speakers available to give insight and guidance.

[mbryan]

You can't have Brian Penney. He just signed a 3 year deal with the Grease Police. He will be a free agent in 2010.

[hydro Tek Man]

Who ever wants put forth the effort to be in a position of BOD will be put there by the body . And yes it may be B. Penny that is up to him and everyone involved in voting someone in . 3 years ?

[mbryan]

The contract with the Grease Police contains stipulations that would impose severe penalties if he were to sit on the BOD of any other organization. Including, but not limited to, the loss of his signing bonus and use of the company jet.

[homer]

...it would be wise not to hitch your horses to any Vendor, Manufacturer or Distributor. Remember how the PWNA was started? It reminds me of something my father once told me... 'more often than not - behind the guise of most unselfish acts lies a selfish motive.'

If you are going to do something I would only hope that you do it as a group of contractors completely away from any influences, recommendations of anyone other than those of you who the organization will be formed to benefit.

There should be no rewards for those of us who are not full-time contractors other that to give all an even playing field to display our products and tell our story.

I would also suggest that the BOD be made up ONLY of a group of contractors dedicated to serve two Masters - the organization they were elected to manage and their individual business. Those who own BBS's, sell equipment, chemical, etc. should support your efforts by passing on information and helping to educate the industry. Then and only then will you have an organization that is not destined to fail.

As a Distributor and Manufacturer I have always wanted to share our knowledge without any strings attached and I am sure that if you gave all of us at the distributor level an equal shot you would find yourselves with an organization free of any illusions that somewhere there is a 'puppet master' with something to gain from all your hard work. Without that commitment I fear that you will be just like everyone else who has not taken such precautions and find yourselves replacing members rather than growing your organization and being alienated at the Mfg - Dist levels.

Whatever you decide - think it through very carefully and amongst yourselves over a cup of coffee at the local diner if need be rather than in the presence of those who could be viewed as someone with something to gain.

Good luck,
John

[PressurePros]

Good post, John. I agree wholeheartedly.

[bkwelker]

Very good points by Mr. Kramer and Mr. Allison.

My business is about 60/40 window cleaning/pressure washing and I happen to currently sit on the board of the IWCA as well as serve as President of the Association of United Window Cleaners. While both of these organizations seek out and welcome associate members (manufacturers & distributors), their membership does not carry voting privileges, nor can they sit on the board in anything other than an advisory capacity.

I can tell you personally that as a matter of policy both organizations bend over backwards to not show even a hint of favoritism of one associate member over another even if it means passing up what may have been an attractive opportunity of some sort - exclusive sponsorships, etc.

I think that policy has proven itself to be directly responsible for some measure of both organization's successes and would seem to be only appropriate.