Hardwood Floors April/May 2017

FINAL COAT

their career paths, keeping our industry vital and committed to growth. The network will kick off during an exclusive reception at the 2017 Wood Flooring Expo, followed by online conference opportunities throughout the year. The Network will be developed by NWFA’s Emerging Leaders Council. Members include: • Matt Casey, Bona US • John Dupra, Installers Warehouse • Allie Finkell, American OEM • Jessica Hickman, Allegheny Mountain Hardwood Flooring • Libby Horne, Haines • Toby Merrill, DuraSeal • Laura Mullins, Graf Brothers Flooring • Josh Neuberger, Pallmann • Aaron Schaalma, Signature Custom Flooring Get involved by contacting Liz Peuster at NWFA, liz.peuster@nwfa.org. To accompany these initiatives, later this year, Hardwood Floors Magazine will produce its first “40 Under 40” special issue, helping our industry to recognize and grow its future leaders. Look for more details in the future.

BigStockPhoto ©

individual, puts the organization in a perpetual, forward motion that no one could create on their own. Collaboration — this is where the magic happens, and the best ideas come to life. To maintain culture, create experiences for your employees that keep them dedicated to being part of the team— surprise them with “what’s next?” This often comes in the form of fun in the workplace. Yes, fun! Unless you work with a family member, you spend more time each day with the people you work with than your children, spouse, and friends. We might as well like being with one another! Not to mention, profitability and quality go up exponentially when employees are in a culture that rewards productivity, and nourishes and grows its people. I bring these things up because as our industry moves forward, the generational mixes in the workplace create potential conflict as well as opportunities to learn from one another. None of us are going to have enough people, so a big key to success will lie in having enough people dedicated to the cause, willing to do whatever it takes to keep their company moving forward. And yes, sometimes that is going to mean doing the work of two people. People are going to have more choices in where they work, which means your work culture becomes all the more important. Many studies show that good employees don’t leave because of money; they leave because of bad leadership and/or a negative culture. Our industry will only remain competitive if these philosophies are embraced. This is why NWFA has created a new Emerging Leaders Network, designed to help nurture our young leaders in

EMERGING LEADERS RECEPTION NWFAWood Flooring Expo Wed. April 12, 2017 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. Phoenix Sheraton Hotel For young professionals

128 hardwood floors www.hardwoodfloorsmag.com