TOPICS

rF ue LUIVIBERIVIEN's Association of

I Texas begins is second century of service to the industry with new, yet experienced. leadership.

Newly elected officers of the association are: president, Ray Nunn, Frisco; hrst vice president, Tom Hanover, Round Rock; second vice president, A. George Natsis, trI' Edna; treasurer, Don Smith, Lubbock; sergeant-atarms, Brook Kennemer, Nacogdoches; secretary Emmen F. McCq, San Marcos'

As I assume the position of executive vice

JOE BUTLER, JR. crecutlve vlce preeldent execudve vlce prcadent

f Henr IS probabty no other MLA serI vice that is as misunderstood as the Lumbermens Farm Plan.

Far too many members seem to have the opinion that the Farm Plan is somewhat of a "court oflast resortl' and as such is reserved for busirBsses that have lost control oftheir accounts rccei ble, and are willing to try "anything" just to stay in business. Our purpose here is to set the record straight. NOTHING could be further from the truth! It is not, and president, Joe Butler Sr. continues in an advisory position until his official retirement in early 1987. (See page 23 for related story)

Barbara Douglas, whojoined LAT January l, takes over my former position of exhibit sales director. She will also assume responsibility for the association's education seminars.

A l98l graduate ofthe University ofTexas at Austin, Douglas joined LAT with over five years of professional association experience. LAT has an exciting new Program designed to help dealen achieve excellence in their personal and professional lives.

Joe Charbonneau. who spoke on "Look

Building Prcducts Dlgest

Who's Wrecking Your Company Nov" at the 1985 convention in Fort Worth, will offer the seminar through his Performance Group. Dealen and employees can participate in tvo outsbndirg prqrams: "Management Leadership Techniques" plus "Customer Relations/Sales Training."

The seminar is unusual in that the person enrollirg can panicipate in Orc program when, where and hol he wislres. Because the entire seminar is recorded on cassette tapes' it is possible to participate while driving. at home or in the office- It is also possible to anend the same session more than once.

Available to LAT members only, the program is organized in 12 monthly modules. A modute includes a vinyl sorage binder, a cassen€ tape. uork book ard note @. Those enrolled in the seminar will receive a module each month.

Registration may be mde thmugh the LAT office. Cost of $19.95 plus $3.5O sttipptug and handling per module should be included with the registration. Extra uorkbooks may be ordered for $7 each.

And nov, the Farm Plan hasjus gouen bcter! As a rcsult of the reccnt prrchase of Farm Plan by Deere & Co.. tlrese new features have been added to the program: should not be considered, a last dirch effort to keep your business going!

(l) There is no recourse back to the dealer on any Farm Plan-apprwed credit accouns.

(2) There is no longer the need for local bank participation since the Farm Plan can nor prwide direct financing on all accouns.

It is a service for you and your customers (that's right, your customers) that will drastically improrrc pur cash flov, get yotl otlt of ttte banking business, and back into the business you knov best the retailing of lumber ard building materials. The pressure that is taken offa dealer's accouns receivable relieves one of the truly great problems facing all small business. Where the Farm Plan is being utilized, the participating dealer honestly cannot imagine doing business without the Farm Plan, or a similar accounts receivable finarrcing program.

What we re once Farm Plan problems are now Farm Plan imprwements and even the rno6t donhirB dealer (riles it o his business to take a frresh look at this association service.

The Farm Plan is not, and never has been. tlre sole possession ofthe desperale. Ra0ter. it is a management tool that is available to all dealers wistrirg o rirt therrrsehcs of tre fuuncing needs of their customers. Credit is a service ttrat nrocr agree mr$ be ffir€d. Horertr, to allov this service o control, ard ultirnately urdermilrc, a busirpss is an errortlut nunagernent need not malc. l,ook closer into this exclusirrc MLA service to see what assistance it can prwide in the profitable operation of your business.