Keeping members abreast of changing information, preparing them for new dangers on the horizon, and making that education easy to obtain are just some of the reasons why RIA members value events such as conferences and conventions. And while webinars and e-learning make delivering information cost-effective for companies, the networking benefits available at in-person events can’t be replaced by a modem and computer screen.
Fall Conference Offers Power Networking Events
The RIA Fall Conference, Oct. 13-16 in St. Louis, Mo., will feature sessions on how to leverage a Latino workforce, managing personal finances, power networking and education sessions, a plant tour of Paragon Certified Restoration and much more.
Jill Bishop with Workforce Language Services provides practical strategies for bridging the language and culture gap in today’s companies with a blended workforce of employees from different cultures. RIA’s Executive Director, Don Manger, will update attendees on RIA’s ongoing accounting initiative and contracts project. Nick Hodges of NCH Wealth Advisors will give a keynote presentation on managing personal wealth to build a solid financial future.
Change can be a fearful prospect in business, but John Mosher of Successful Directions will focus on the ingredients required to implement a success change in a company. The final business session addresses how adjusted earnings help drive business value. Jeff Kraai of Exit Strategies, Inc. defines what true earnings are, how to determine normalized earnings, and how they affect a business’ value for investors, lenders or potential buyers.
Online Training Continues
RIA’s Brown Bag Lunch Webinars head into fall with several timely topics. On Sept. 16, Phillip Rosebrook, Jr., CR, with Business Mentors and ELC Training, tackles the topic of “What does the owner of a restoration company do on a daily basis?” If the business owner doesn’t have a solid handle on his job description, it’s hard to direct the rest of the company. This 50-minute, how-to Webinar will give owners a reasonable guideline as to what their “real” daily responsibilities should be to create a successful company.
On Oct. 21, Michael Pinto, CSP, CMP, CEO of Wonder Makers Environmental, Inc., will offer a summary of the concept of cleaning for health, and highlight the many areas where it will impact cleaning and restoration businesses. These practical implementation steps will be useful for cleaning and custodial companies, builders, commercial building owners and maintenance managers, restoration and remediation contractors, indoor environmental consultants, IAQ investigators and medical practitioners.
Greg Neil of Gregory Neil Associates will provide information on how to eliminate waste, increase value and improve profits, timely topics for today’s economic environment. The webinar takes place Nov. 18 and will introduce the concept of “Lean Construction” – a new way to manage work in design and construction – using practices resting on solid foundations to produce superior results. Lean construction is distinguished from current forms of project management in a variety of ways beginning with the purpose and function of planning.
All RIA webinars are held at 1 p.m. EST. Registration cost is per location, so they provide a cost-effective and time-efficient means of training staff. For more information, e-mail education@restorationindustry.org.
RIA’s C&R Magazine Wins Editorial Award
The accolades continue for RIA’s monthly technical journal, Cleaning & Restoration magazine. The publication won an Apex Award for editorial excellence for a feature story on the RIA behind-the-scenes tour of the Biltmore estate in Asheville, N.C., last October. Sponsored by the National Institute of Rug Cleaning division of RIA, the group had an opportunity to learn about the extensive collection and its care from several Biltmore curators, including a massive rug restoration project following an infestation of moths in the home’s many priceless area rugs.
RIA Convention Scheduled for Mid-March in Atlanta
From its 24 hours of pre-convention education sessions to the two full days of cutting-edge information, the Annual RIA Convention & Exhibition is one of the best values for education and networking in the industry. The pre-convention topics include training a Hispanic workforce, a workshop on the new EPA lead regulation and building relationships with adjusters that work.
The convention will be held from March 23-27, 2010, at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta on Peachtree Street.
Additional information on these RIA programs and benefits is available on the RIA website, www.restorationindustry.org, or by contacting the RIA office at 443-878-1000.
