8 Theresa Colbert Business Advancement Advisory Board Sandy Blalock J.C. Cahill Brian Collins Theresa Colbert Jim Counts Herb Lieberman Ron Sturgeon Jay Svendsen Ginny Whelan Distribution Manager / Sales Harmony French Publisher MF&CO, INC Editor Susan French DJ Harrington Marty Hollingshead Herb Lieberman Danny Miller Ron Sturgeon Jay Svendsen Mike Swift Ginny Whelan Bill Velin Contributing Authors Becky Berube Theresa Colbert Greg Condon Chad Counts Jim Counts Robert Counts’ Paul D’Adamo Mike French Published 6 times a year AutoRecyclersToolBox.com Auto Recycler’s ToolBox Magazine - a Trade Show in Print ® I know we are all busier than we used to be - with more extra- curricular activities for the kids and longer commutes. We just don’t have any time to spare. I get that! But if you don’t have the time to put into your own business, into your employee training, and into state and local associations, your business won’t grow, your employees won’t learn new things, and you will never know about the local and national bills that “big business” is always trying to sneak in! Our state and national associations have committees and lobbyists to be watch-dogs for our busi- nesses, but they can’t do it alone! Volunteers are needed, financial support is needed, and writing let- You are needed Ihave been in several event planning meetings lately with a couple of state associ- ations I volunteer for. Two things keep coming up in these meet- ings: attendance and member- ship. They are down from previ- ous years, and wayyyyy down from several years ago. Excuses Are Like Elbows Ÿ “I am going to my state or national recyclers trade show this year!” Ÿ “My employees and myself need training!” When is the last time ters or calling your congressmen is needed! you said: Ÿ “I need to learn what new products are out there!” Ÿ “I need to learn what is going on in Washington, D.C. that could help or hurt my business!” Ÿ “I am going to miss a cou- ple days of work and spend some money, but I will make it up in the long run!” Only a handful go Out of the thousands of yards If you have any questions regarding your state or national shows, let me know! I can get you a list of upcoming events! As always, if you have any ques- tions or comments please email me, text me, or call me! that get this magazine, only a handful will actually go to trade shows and training. I know you have reasons to not go to the shows. I know your kids have dance, football, and too many activities to list. I know you are busy at the yard and it’s tough to leave a skeleton crew for a day or two. I know all the reasons you can’t go, or volunteer, or send in your membership dues. But excuses are like elbows: everyone has them! I hope after reading this you will find a way to get to the shows, to training, to sign up to volunteer for your associations, and to send in your membership dues! TheresaC@Car-Part.com or call/text my cell at Theresa Colbert 859-802-2382 “Our state and national associations have committees and lobbyists to be watch-dogs for our businesses, but they can’t do it alone!”