the current
S U M M E R 2014
Exceeding Expectations
Tammy Livers, vice president of sales,
Eaton’s Residential and Wiring Devices Division
2014 NAED Trailblazer Award Winner
Photograph by Stan Kaady
In this issue:
page 4
page 5
pages 6-7
pages 10-11
10 Reasons to
Attend an NAED
Conference
Exceeding Expectations
See What You Missed
at the NAED National
Meeting
The Path to
Disruption
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF
ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTORS
PRESIDENT’S LETTER
Summer Learning Opportunities
Abound with Niche Conferences
Summer—it’s the season we grew up looking forward to with such excitement—no school, no
responsibilities. Many of us still look forward to the summer months with the anticipation of spending
some quality time with family and friends.
Even though it’s summer, NAED doesn’t skip a beat. We still offer education and networking
opportunities for your team to add to their professional development.
You may want to check out one of our niche meetings. The Leadership Advancement and Development
(LEAD) Conference is scheduled for July 16-18 and the AdVenture Marketing Conference is August 4-6.
For more information about these conferences, read the article on page 4.
We’re also gearing up for our 4th annual Congressional Fly-In scheduled for September 9-10. This is a
wonderful opportunity for our members to meet face-to-face with their elected officials and staff. It is
your chance to educate them about your concerns. I understand that it is much easier to just send them
an email. However, it’s vital that we make the effort to meet our legislators in person. It’s the best way to
build relationships with members of Congress. Our Government Affairs team makes it easy for you to be
an effective advocate. We will take care of scheduling appointments with your legislators for you.
Events like the Fly-In are successful because there is strength in numbers. By participating, you can
ensure the voice of the electrical distribution industry is heard. Registration for the Fly-In is now open. I
encourage you to consider being a part of this vital effort.
I hope that each one of you is able to take some time off this summer to create some everlasting
memories with your family and friends.
Tom Naber | President | NAED
Tom can be reached at 314.812.5312 or tnaber@naed.org.
Three Clicks to Change a Life
Springfield Electric’s Gary King is Promoted to Inside Sales
In the December 2013
issue of tED magazine,
Scott Costa, wrote about
Gary King. It was a story
about a man that took
a chance and changed careers after 10
years with the same company.
It has been almost two years since King
went to work for Springfield Electric
where he started out in the warehouse.
He admits that he took a pay cut for
the opportunity. “I had to take a step
back in order to take a bunch of steps
forward,” King said.
It wasn’t easy; King had no experience
in electrical distribution. But, he started
his new job with a positive attitude,
the willingness to learn and a desire
to make the most of the opportunities
he was offered. The story in tED ended
with King being promoted from the
warehouse to counter sales.
In April, he received a second
promotion, this time to inside sales—
that’s two promotions in less than
two years. Not bad for someone who
admittedly knew nothing about
electrical distribution when he started
at Springfield Electric.
THE CURRENT : SUMMER 2014
With the promotion came more
responsibility and that’s just fine
with him. As far as his new position
is concerned, “You get a lot more
interaction with customers,” King said.
“Instead of helping the do-it-yourself
guy that walks in off the street, you get
a set group of customers that you work
with. You start building relationships
with them.”
He credits his success to the
educational opportunities offered
through NAED’s Learning Center. “I’ve
never been in a job or an industry
before that gives you the tools you
need in order to succeed and have a
career,” King said. “This industry does.”
In the beginning, King spent several
hours a couple of nights a week on
his laptop taking courses. “I started
Warehouse Pro about a month after
joining Springfield,” King said. “Then I
went through the EDGE program and
I’m currently working on EPEC bronze.”
King plans on completing all three
levels of EPEC before he tackles his
next project—becoming a Certified
Electrical Professional (CEP).
For those just starting out in electrical
distribution, King offers this advice,
“This industry offers the training you
need to have a career. It’s up to you to
take advantage of the opportunities to
better yourself.”
While Springfield Electric Supply is
investing in its employees, it also
invests in NAED’s Annual Campaign.
With contributions from distributors
and manufacturers, NAED can continue
to build the NAED Learning Center
(NLC) and create learning programs for
new and current employees.
The NLC has more than 6,400 users and
has launched more than 55,000 training
activities. One of those 6,400 users is
Gary King. King knows he wouldn’t
be where he is in his career today if
it weren’t for the NLC. Through the
contributions to the NAED Education
& Research Foundation’s Annual
Campaign, the NLC will be able to
continue to offer the courses that will
help the next Gary King turn 10 years
at a dead-end job into a career to be
proud of.
3
10 Reasons to Attend an NAED Conference
1. Be in the know.
NAED brings the latest and greatest
information and practices to the
attention of the attendees, giving them
a competitive advantage in their work
place to do their jobs better.
2. Get reenergized and inspired.
There’s no better way to get motivated
and excited about your next project
than to break away from your daily
routine and spend some time learning
outside of the office.
3. Meet industry leaders.
If you aren’t already an industry leader,
one way of becoming one is to meet
those who have already made that step.
4. Professional development.
Keeping up with what’s going on in the
industry will allow you to provide more
value to your customers, making you
more valuable to your company.
5. Key issues.
Learn about the key issues or
challenges the industry is facing as
a whole (or your particular area of
interest) as explained by subject matter
experts.
6. Network.
Conference attendees are offered
multiple opportunities to meet and
network in both formal and casual
settings.
7. Learn successful strategies.
Conferences tend to be an open
exchange for ideas. People are more
willing to share their strategies that are
doing well or have failed miserably.
8. Great value.
NAED’s conferences provide insights,
knowledge and experiences, which add
up to a great value.
9. Challenge your way of thinking.
Topics addressed spark innovation and
creativity.
10. NAED conferences are fun.
Don’t underestimate the importance
of having fun when it comes to
work. Conferences can add a layer of
enjoyment to managing your career
growth by mixing a social aspect into
your learning and industry branding
efforts.
stay current
For more information about any of NAED’s
meetings, visit naed.org/events.
4
Looking for a conference to
attend?
Distributors looking to develop skills
in specific areas should consider
participating in one of these meeting
to gain further knowledge on topics
of a specific interest.
Leadership Enhancement and
Development [LEAD] Conference
July 16-18 | InterContinental Hotel |
Chicago, Ill.
Developed by industry professionals, LEAD
is a favorite for current and emerging
leaders. Attendees have the opportunity
to improve management skills, learn best
practices that support bottom-line results
from experts from across the country and
network with peers.
AdVenture Marketing Conference
August 4-6 | Renaissance Chicago
Downtown | Chicago, Ill.
Geared toward marketing and
communications professionals, AdVenture
features high-impact sessions presented
by experts in industry consultation, media,
marketing and other related fields.
Congressional Fly-In
September 9-10 | Capitol Hill Hotel |
Washington, D.C.
This two-day event gives NAED members
an opportunity to communicate their
thoughts and concerns to their elected
officials, while providing a great chance to
network with industry peers from across
the country.
NAED
Exceeding Expectations
NAED Announces the 2014 Women in Industry Trailblazer Award Recipient
NAED is proud to recognize Tammy
Livers, vice president of sales for Eaton’s
Residential and Wiring Devices Division
(RWDD), with its Women in Industry
Trailblazer award.
served as a member of the expert panel
in 2011 and was twice the featured
speaker at WII Bootcamps. Livers also
serves as a mentor in the WII mentoring
Livers was
presented the
award in front of
a record-breaking
crowd during
the 2014 NAED
Women in Industry
(WII) Forum in
Nashville, Tenn. The
award honors Livers’ outstanding and
dedicated service to the association,
its Women in Industry Forum and the
electrical distribution industry at large.
“I really don’t
know how she
finds the time to
do everything she
does,” said Susan
Streich, manager,
wholesale data
services for IDEA
Photograph by Stan Kaady
and a beneficiary
of Livers’ mentoring skills for nearly two
years.
“I’ve spent a good part of my career
drawing women into the industry and
mentoring them. The fact that the
members of the WII Committee looked
at me and said, ‘She’s had an impact,’ is
really exciting because I feel that I have
made a difference,” Livers said.
In addition to her work at Eaton, Livers
is active in NAED, giving her free time
and experience to the WII Committee.
She joined the committee in 2010,
THE CURRENT : SUMMER 2014
program.
“I was so fortunate to be matched
with Tammy for mentoring. I can
run anything by her and ask for her
suggestions. She always makes time for
me,” Streich said.
Livers encourages women to get
involved. “Even though we’re a minority
in this industry, don’t be afraid to break
out, take chances and be a leader. It
really has its rewards. NAED provided
an avenue for me to get up and share
my experience and help other women.
It’s been really gratifying, and it has
absolutely helped advance my career.
My involvement was certainly noticed
by my company. And I was viewed
within the company as an industry
leader,” Livers said. “What you get back
is tenfold what you put into it. I love
what I’m doing­—all of it.”
Livers advises women in the industry to
“always challenge—challenge yourself,
challenge the status quo. Don’t be
afraid to ask why and ask why again.
Have confidence in yourself.”
Livers has also served on the board
of directors for the Make-a-Wish
Foundation in southern Illinois, where
she lived prior to moving to Atlanta for
a promotion. She has also volunteered
for adult literacy tutoring and was on
the board of directors and co-chaired
the fundraising initiative for the HANDS
Foundation, a non-profit organization
that advocates for senior citizens.
stay current
Save the date for the October 30, 2014
Women in Industry Bootcamp, held at
Cooper Lighting in Peachtree City, Ga.
Visit naed.org/WIIbootcamp for more
information.
5
See What You Missed at the
NAED National Meeting
The 2014 NAED National Meeting
wrapped up on Monday, April 28 at
the San Francisco Marriott Marquis.
recognizable. And it’s not changing
back—this is the status quo, this is the
way it is from now on,” Pogue said.
New this year was the Speaker Series
featuring: Brad Stone, journalist and
author of “The Everything Store,”
Charles Bennett, president, Business
Data Links, Lou Pierce, president, Big
Idea Company, David Pogue, New York
Times columnist and Emmy-winning
CBS News correspondent, Leonard
Brody, entrepreneur, and Don Leavens,
Ph.D., vice president and chief
economist, NEMA.
Pogue says the “Web 2.0” concept
(interactive Web sites where the user
On Sunday, Stone got right to the
meat with an introduction to the core
strength of Amazon’s success—logistics
and the supply chain. The driving force
behind Amazon’s success is the answer
to one question: “How do we centralize
inventory and get it to people’s homes
as quickly as possible?”
After Pogue, Brody took the stage and
spoke about how the web and social
media have changed our behaviors.
Stone stated that the best way to fend
off online threats is to look inward, as
Amazon does tirelessly, and ask yourself,
“what is my unique, unmatchable
advantage to my customers?”
Pogue kicked off Monday morning
speaking about disruptive technology
and trends that will change your
business. “The world is barely
6
supplies the content – i.e. Facebook,
Craigslist, eBay, YouTube), now applies to
the real world. In the “old world,” when
someone wanted to purchase a product,
that person would go into a store. In
Web 2.0, we do business with each
other—instead of getting a hotel room,
we can rent someone’s personal home
for a few nights.
“Right now, we are rewriting the planet
from the ground up; people have
changed more in the last 20 years alone,
than in the last 3,000 years,” Brody said.
The rise of the commercialized Internet
has changed everything—from the way
we communicate, to the way we make
purchases, to the way we meet others.
At the closing banquet, tED magazine
celebrated their 50th anniversary and
NAED welcomed Maureen Barsema,
Revere Electric Supply vice president
of Business Administration, as the new
Chair.
NAED
THE CURRENT : SUMMER 2014
7
An EPEC Comparison
K/E Electric Supply Discusses the Benefits of EPEC from Two Points of View
“The program turned employees
looking for a job into employees
with a career...”
K/E Electric Supply has used NAED’s
Electrical Products Education Course
(EPEC) program to help train their
staff for many years. Currently, 27 K/E
employees have graduated from at
least one level of the EPEC program.
Twenty-two have graduated from EPEC
Bronze, three from EPEC Silver, one
from EPEC Gold, and one from EPEC
Lighting.
NAED had the opportunity
to sit down with two K/E
Electric team members to get
different perspectives on the
benefits of the EPEC program.
Both Rock Kuchenmeister, general
manager, and Bethany Istok, lighting
specialist, are previous
tED magazine “30 under
35” award winners and
were happy to share their
thoughts.
NAED: Why is training that is specific
to electrical distribution important to
your employees?
Kuchenmeister: K/E Electric Supply is
8
a full-line electrical distributor. Any
training that is specific to our industry is
important to the employees, especially
since there are so few quality sources
for training. Through high school and
college, there are training programs
for teachers, police officers, lawyers
and doctors. Typical students do not
go to school to work for an electrical
distributor. The students that do end up
working at an electrical distributor have
skills that translate indirectly and need
to learn about electrical distribution to
succeed.
NAED: How did you first learn about
the EPEC program?
Kuchenmeister: K/E Electric Supply has
pushed the program throughout the
company in the 1980s and 1990s with
little success. We didn’t have an EPEC
Bronze graduate until I picked up the
program in 2002. By August 2003, I had
finished Bronze, Silver, Gold and the
supplemental program VDV. I realized
how important the training was to K/E
Electric Supply, so I talked our General
Manager, John White, into letting me
teach the program to anyone at K/E
who wanted to learn. After years of
improving the program, a third of
the current employees are Bronze
graduates and 10 more employees are
nearly done with the Silver program.
NAED: What types of improvements
have you seen in those EPEC program
graduates?
Kuchenmeister: As a manager or
owner, whenever you invest in
your branch or company, return on
investment is always discussed. The
return on investment for the EPEC
program within K/E Electric Supply is
typically measured in weeks or a few
months. Outside sales, inside sales and
counter sales have the fastest returns
and are the easiest to measure. But,
warehouse, delivery and clerical staff
have an indirect effect too. We have
noticed a drop in our error rate of those
employees who went through the EPEC
program. The warehouse, delivery and
clerical staff also offer us well-trained
depth for future growth through
promotions within the company.
NAED: Why do you believe so strongly
in the EPEC program?
Kuchenmeister: I believe so strongly
in the program because it works. The
program got me to where I am today. I
started at the bottom and worked my
way up to general manager. The people
I work with are successful because
NAED
of the program too. The program
turned employees looking for a job
into employees with a career that can
support their family.
NAED: What was the first job you had
at the company?
Istok: I started out as a receptionist.
better at your job?
Istok: K/E offered the course to their
employees. EPEC gives me a better
understanding of all the products
involved for job, not just the lighting
that I sell.
NAED: Is there one specific instance
that you could talk about where you
were able to help your customers?
NAED: Tell me about
Istok: By not only
your journey from
selling light fixtures,
receptionist to
“Don’t be afraid to ask for
lighting specialist.
but being able to offer
help—the worst answer you dimming controls or
Istok: I worked
as a receptionist
occupancy sensors
will get is ‘no.’”
for one and a half
which would cost
years, just figuring out what I wanted
more up front, but end up saving the
to do. There was an opening in the
end user money and energy in the long
lighting department and I was offered
run.
the position. Over the next few years I
NAED: What is one piece of advice
worked my way up to the head of the
that you would give someone that
department.
is considering taking EPEC, but is
questioning if they should do it?
NAED: How did you first learn about
Istok: They should at least give it a try
the electrical distribution industry?
and don’t be afraid to ask for help—the
Istok: My uncle has worked for K/E for
worst answer you will get is “no.”
more than 20 years. They were hiring
someone for the office and he called
my mom, asking if she wanted a job.
She wasn’t interested, but she asked me
if I wanted to go and apply.
NAED: How did you hear about the
EPEC program? How as it made you
THE CURRENT : SUMMER 2014
NAED: What was the most challenging
part of the program? Why?
Istok: The most challenging part was
all the cut sheets; there was a lot of
product that I was not familiar with. I
didn’t even know what manufacturer to
start with, so I asked for guidance from
fellow employees. I was happy to be
able to return the favor for those who
weren’t very familiar with lighting.
NAED: Who is the one person that has
had the most influence on you? Why?
Istok: I don’t think there is one person,
I am always trying to improve myself,
whether it is going to a product show
or manufacturer training. Knowledge is
power—you can never stop improving
yourself.
stay current
NAED’s EPEC program has become the
cornerstone of sales and product training
in the electrical distribution industry.
These courses provide information about
individual products, their applications
and how they are interrelated with other
products in electrical systems.
EPEC students may participate in three,
tiered levels of recognition—Bronze, Silver
and Gold.
Upcoming informational webinars are
available for those interested in learning
more about the EPEC program. To learn
more and to register, visit naed.org/EPEC.
9
The Path to Disruption
Innovative Technologies & the Electrical Distribution Industry
“Disruptive technology” is a term coined by Harvard Business School Professor Clayton Christensen to describe a new
technology that unexpectedly displaces an established technology. These technologies disrupt the status quo by being a
substantial improvement over existing technology. They often surprise the market.
In April, David Pogue, New York Times columnist and Emmywinning CBS News correspondent, spoke about disruptive
technologies at NAED’s National Meeting. He offered some
examples of technologies that could impact how business is
done, including drones that will deliver small items to your door
within 30 minutes.
1
It is true that technological advances have resulted in the
emergence of new ways of conducting business. According
to Pogue, general trends on the horizon are no discs or
wires, no landlines, and standard machines will be replaced
with portable wireless devices, streaming media and faster
interpersonal communications.
Technology delivers both tangible and intangible benefits
to become more cost effective and to meet the growing
needs of customers. For example, advancements in
mobile technology and the advent of the mobile web
mean customers can now shop, buy and even do
tionon Industry
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customers’ expectations—they tend to expect
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to be able to find products, pricing and be able to
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order things online at any time of day. Companies such as Amazon
have raised the bar of what is needed to remain competitive.
ION &
TION
EDUCAT CH FOUNDA
RESEAR
research
ed.org/
www.na
The path of technology-driven innovation leads to new markets and new opportunities. It is critical the electrical
distribution industry is ready and able to capitalize on those opportunities.
To help members further understand the topic, NAED released a new report that focuses on the potential impact of
new technologies on electrical distribution. Based on a 2013 survey of NAED members, The Path to Disruption: Innovative
10
NAED
Technologies & the Electrical Distribution
Industry, looks at seven areas of
potential including:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Customized lighting
Energy storage
Electric vehicles
Gesture controlled devices
Additive manufacturing
Low cost advanced robotics
Autonomous vehicles
Some of the highlights of the report
include:
• Eighty-one percent of
respondents agree that
customized lighting offers one
of the best
opportunities for distributors over
the next five years.
• Thirty-nine percent of distributors
currently sell parts for electric
vehicles and charging stations.
• Nearly half of the respondents
did not feel that additive
manufacturing (3D printing)
capabilities would play a
significant role for electrical
distributors.
The electrical distribution industry
is poised for great change and even
greater success as the integration
of products and technologies that
were once considered unrealistic are
becoming the norm.
Not only is change unavoidable, today
things are changing at a more rapid
pace than at any other point in history.
Electrical distributors will need to
continue to find innovative ways to
meet their customer’s needs in order to
remain competitive.
stay current
To learn more and to download the full
report, visit naed.org/research.
THE CURRENT : SUMMER 2014
Inspiring Disruption: Four
Disruptive Technologies
According to Deloitte’s Annual Tech
Trends Report, disruptive technologies
will be the trend to watch for 2014.
The four technological trends below
will cause disruption, as well as,
drive innovation and opportunity in
business.
Additive manufacturing. More
commonly known as 3D printing,
this is the process of building threedimensional objects with machines
using computer-aided design (CAD)
software. This technology opens up
incredible possibilities for individuals
and businesses with fully working parts
able to be created at the touch of a
button, for a fraction of the cost.
Connectivity. Not only will it continue
to drive changes in consumer activity,
it will change the way we live and work
especially as lighter and faster mobile
devices enter the market.
The Internet of Things is the concept of
everyday objects becoming connected
to the Web; a world where everyone and
everything is connected. By next year, it
is estimated that not only will 75 percent
of the world’s population have access
to the Internet, so will approximately six
billion devices.
Next generation interface. Devices
will continue to become more portable.
Over the next 10 years, there will be a
new generation of devices primarily in
the form of wearable and embedded
computers—for example Google glass,
the wearable computer with an optical
head-mounted display.
11
Career Path Planning Tips from the NAED
Training Department
Electrical distribution is a cutting-edge industry that offers opportunities in a wide-range of positions. With today’s
competitive marketplace, it is important to recruit, retain and promote the right employees in order for your
organization to succeed.
The third part of the Employee Lifecycle is Career Path. Along with
a great recruitment process, it is very important that employees
understand their career path within the organization and how they
can move “up through the ranks.” Establishing a successful career
path for your employees helps ensure your business is in good
hands for years to come.
Creating a career path to manage an employee’s growth and
development will help assure that the employee stays on the
right track. The Career Path Planning Toolkit will aid in managing
the career path of talent in the electrical distribution industry
and help you define and design career paths within your own
organization.
F
TION O
SSOCIA UTORS
NAL A
NATIO ICAL DISTRIB
TR
ELEC
ing
n
n
a
l
P
box
Path
Careeargement Tool
Man
For th
e elec
Distr
trical
ibutio
n inDu
s t ry
Talent Management Research
As part of the NAED Foundation’s ongoing efforts to
provide industry-related resources, the Channel Advantage
Partnership sponsored a research study specifically focused
on this topic. The Talent Management & Review Toolkit
provides a comprehensive look at the industry’s current
beliefs regarding talent management and suggestions to
enhance your company’s program. As the study states, 75
percent of survey participants believe that most, if not all, of their employees
have the potential and talent to lead this industry in the future.
e
ed by th
Prepar
NAED
13
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uncil. Oc
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velopm
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Whether your company has a system in place or wants to create a program, the Talent Management & Review Toolkit
offers an array of options to consider a top-notch program that fits your company’s needs and objectives.
For more information and to download these resources, visit www.naed.org/employeelifecycle.
12
NAED
NAED Working to Defeat LIFO Repeal
“The purpose of comprehensive
tax reform should be to create
jobs and make things simpler for
people and business...”
In late May, 115 bipartisan Members
of the House of Representatives sent
House Ways & Means Chairman Dave
Camp (R-Mich.) a letter asking the
Chairman to reconsider proposed
changes to the “last in, first out” or LIFO
business accounting measures in the
final proposal to overhaul the federal
tax code. NAED took part in the effort in
gathering the signatures for this letter.
“I applaud Chairman Camp and his
committee’s work to overhaul our
nation’s broken 72,000+page tax code,”
said Representative James Lankford
(R-Okla.) in a recent press release.
“However, as we make much needed
tax reforms, we must also ensure we do
not unfairly penalize companies that
followed the previous tax rules.”
Camp’s proposal could result in
significantly higher tax liabilities for
LIFO companies forced to transition
from LIFO. These businesses are using
an IRS-approved accounting method,
THE CURRENT : SUMMER 2014
and it’s very likely many didn’t factor
a tax bill coming from a retroactive
change in the tax code into their
business plans.
“Repealing LIFO will have a devastating
impact on business across our districts
and country,” said Representative Mike
Thompson (D-Calif.) in the same press
release. “The purpose of comprehensive
tax reform should be to create jobs,
make things simpler for people and
businesses and get our fiscal house
in order. Ending LIFO will have the
opposite effect. It will put people in the
communities I represent out of work,
punish businesses who have depended
on this type of accounting for 70 years,
increase their tax burden and cause
further economic uncertainty.”
For a copy of the letter to Chairman
Camp, visit http://goo.gl/nI6Sr5.
stay current
Registration is now open for the 2014
NAED Congressional Fly-In—September
9-10. This event provides NAED members
with an opportunity to communicate
their thoughts and concerns directly to
their elected officials. To learn more and to
register, visit naed.org/flyin.
In addition to protecting
LIFO, NAED’s other top
legislative priorities
include:
• Support the Marketplace
Fairness Act
This act would allow state to
require ‘remote sellers,’ such as
online retailers to collect sales
tax—just like brick and mortar
sellers.
• Renew EPACT 179D
Commercial Buildings Tax
Deduction
Many members had found
the Energy Policy Act (EPACT)
tax deduction, also known
as the Commercial Buildings
Tax Deduction or 179D, for
commercial building upgrades
to be a valuable selling tool.
Unfortunately, it expired at the
end of 2013.
• Support the Regulations
from the Executive in Need of
Scrutiny Act (REINS)
This act is designed to
increase accountability in the
regulatory process and improve
congressional oversight or
overaggressive regulators.
13
Mark Your Calendars
Stay connected with the people, issues and technology that impact your business every
day by saving the date for these important NAED events.
JULY
OCTOBER
#tEDchat discusses the AmazonSupply
threat
1
Branch Management University
July Semester Begins
1
Branch Management University
October Semester Begins
14-25
CEP Summer Exam
30
Women in Industry Bootcamp
16-18
LEAD Conference
30
CEP Informational Webinar
29
Webinar: How to Keep Your
Baby Boomers Motivated
NOVEMBER
AUGUST
4-6 AdVenture Marketing
Conference
6
EPEC Introduction Webinar
SEPTEMBER
4
Congressional Fly-In
Informational Webinar
9-10
Congressional Fly-In
15
CEP Class of Sept. 2011
Recertification Deadline
16 Sales Team Development
Workshop
17
EPEC Introduction Webinar
28-30
Missouri River Club
30-10/2 HR & Training Workshop
3-4
Branch Management Bootcamp
5
EPEC Introduction Webinar
10-12
Eastern Region Conference
18
CEP Informational Webinar
20
Branch Management Bootcamp
DECEMBER
2
CEP Informational Webinar
10
EPEC Introduction Webinar
Western Region Conference
FEBRUARY
17-19 South Central Region
Conference
@tEDmagazine: To start, let’s rate the
@AmazonSupply threat to the ED world. On
a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being HUGE threat, what
would u give it? #tedchat
@KeatingDenise: 10 - they are an innovator, a
distruptor, and are executing strategies to target
customers in our industry #tedchat
@rfisher1228: Overall I would rank it as a 5, ED’s
need to learn how to embrace it. They are here to
stay. #tedchat
@angelabaraks: If you are not giving your
customers a way to purchase the way they prefer
to purchase, they are a threat. #tedchat
@orbitaaron: Service, Training and providing
solutions is critical in reacting to Amazon.
Industry needs to take these steps to reduce
threat.#tedchat
@bulbsboss: The AmazonSupply threat will
likely go well beyond a digital-only threat.
#tedchat
JANUARY
19-21
On June 9, Twitter users from all over the
industry joined in to discuss the threat
AmazonSupply poses to the electrical
distribution industry.
@WernerElectric: Could @AmazonSupply
be just what ED needs? A wake up call to what
customers want, technology we should be
embracing, etc. #tedchat
@DirkBeveridge: This (age of disruption) is our
once in a career opportunity to unify the team
around change & innovation #tedchat
Don’t miss the next #tEDchat, happening every
second Monday of the month at 1 p.m. CDT
View our industry calendar at www.naed.org/calendar.aspx
14
NAED
NAED News Briefs
News from Around the Industry
Congratulations to NAED’s
New Chair Maureen Barsema
Maureen Barsema, vice
president, Business
Administration, Buffalo
Grove, Ill.-based Revere
Electric Supply, became
the 2014-2015 NAED
chair at the conclusion of the National
Meeting held April 26-29 in San
Francisco.
Barsema succeeds Sandra Rosecrans,
president and CEO of Syracuse, N.Y.based City Electric, and will be followed
in 2015 by Glenn Goedecke, executive
vice president, Business Development,
of Birmingham, Ala.-based Mayer
Electric Supply, who was named board
chair-elect.
Meet the Region Vicepresidents
Eastern: Scott O’Day, vice-president,
Sales & Marketing, Controller Service &
Sales Co., has served on NAED’s Eastern
Region Council since 2010. He has
participated in numerous task force
initiatives for the NAED’s Eastern Region
Council including the Product Launch
Task Force from 2007-2009.
president and general manager, WESCO
Distribution, is an industry veteran of
more than 30 years and has served on
NAED’s Western Region Council since
2010.
South Central: Kelly Vliet, vicepresident/sales manager, Medler
Electric Company, has been in the
industry more than 30 years and has
served on the NAED’s South Central
Region Council since 2007.
Ask the Expert
The world of technology can be
confusing to those who don’t speak the
language. NAED’S Strategic Technology
Task Force is now available to offer
advice on any of your tech related
questions or concerns. Questions can
be sent to bethanysullivan@msn.com
and will be answered within 72 hours of
receipt.
Welcome New Members—
Joining March - May 2014
All Electric Supply, Inc.
Dialight Corporation
Light Efficient Design
Macrotec Industrial Automation
Ltda
Orion Lighting Solutions
Pacific Lamp & Supply Company
Power/Mation
Samsung Electronics
SAP America, Inc.
Scurlock Electric, L.L.C.
Shah & Associates, Inc.
SmartMoves!
Get Out the Vote
Soraa, Inc.
NAED is gearing up for mid-term
elections. Those companies interested
in receiving and distributing this
information to their employees should
send the email address for a point of
contact to NAED Government Affairs
at governmentaffairs@naed.org.
Stewart Electric Supply, Inc.
Trinity Wire, LLC
Unilog Content Solutions, LLC
Y&B Lighting and Electrical
Supplies, LLC
Western: Jeffrey P. Stroin, region vice-
THE CURRENT : SUMMER 2014
15
Presort Standard
U.S. Postage
PAID
St. Louis, MO
Permit #3989
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF
ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTORS
1181 Corporate Lake Drive
Saint Louis, MO 63132
www.naed.org
P: 888-791-2512
F: 877-312-9801
Headquartered in St. Louis, Mo., the National Association of Electrical Distributors (NAED) is a 501(c)6
not-for-profit organization dedicated to serving and
protecting the electrical distribution channel.
Editor: Cathy Bryson
Asst. Editor & Designer: TG Livak
NAED’s Learning Center Now Offers Spanishlanguage Courses
The NAED Education & Research
Foundation’s premiere distributor
profitability course, Bottom Line Basics,
and several other training courses
are now available in Spanish to meet
growing demands from both Latin
American and U.S. distributors.
“Providing these offerings in Spanish is
the first step in helping our members
educate and develop their Spanish
speaking workforce,” said Michelle
McNamara, NAED senior vice president
and executive director of the NAED
Foundation.
The NAED Learning Center now has
a Spanish language option as well as
several translated course offerings
including:
16
Bottom Line Basics—an industryspecific course that teaches the
fundamentals of key financial indicators
used to measure profitability.
Spanish Training Bundle includes 16
courses on topics such as interpersonal
skills, cross-cultural communication,
listening skills and customer service
fundamentals.
Additionally, NAED is offering a Spanish
version of the Business Reality 101
workshop with a Spanish speaking
facilitator. This guided, role-playing
simulation allows staff to understand
the various roles and responsibilities of
the entire operation.
The courses can be accessed via the
NAED Learning Center at
www.naed.org/NLC.
Did you know?
• In 2011, more than 37 million U.S.
residents, five years and older,
spoke Spanish at home. This is a 117
percent increase since 1990 when
it was 17.3 million. More than half
of these Spanish speakers spoke
English “very well.”1
• The projected Hispanic population
of the United States in 2060 is 128.8
million. According to this projection,
the Hispanic population will
constitute 31 percent of the nation’s
population by that date.2
• Only Mexico (112 million) has a
larger Hispanic population than the
United States (50.5 million).3
1
U.S. Census Bureau, 2011 American Community
Survey: Table B16001 and Language Use in the
United States: 2007
2
Population Projections.
3
International Data Base.
NAED