STATIES MOUNTAIN

ANAGEMENT'S role as a leader was the key theme emerging from the recent management conference. "Be a leader, not a reactor" and "leaders lead people to better performance" were messages delivered at four general sessions. The theme surfaced as an agenda for action: prepare for the turnaround with sharp management practices, advertise and promote, sell service, educate employees and encourage new ideas.

The first step to positioning for the turnaround is locating your strengths, according to speaker John Conrads, former John Deere & Co. executive. "Your strengths are your experience. workforce, reputation and supplier relations. Weaknesses generally are tendencies to blame things on things outside yourself and to do something because 'we always do it this way' in an everchanging environment," he said.

Speaker Carl Dill, Dill's Best Building Centers. Peekskill, N.Y., advised dealers to look at new opportunities, but to do what you do best, carve out niches, stress products and qualified service. He named "full service" as the future competitive edge for independents.

Of the 96 dealers participating in the conflerence, 68 attended two days while the remainder attended only the day of computer users group meetings. In 1987, 80 dealers participated.

Roger Wulf, BMC West, Aspen, Co., was installed as president. Four new directors were also elected: K.D. Ker, Max Ker & Son Lumber, Idaho Falls, Id.; Lyn Hendren, Blueher Lumber, Albuquerque, N.M.; Dave Runyon, Babbitt's Home Center, Flagstaff, Az., and Sam Hauert, Grant Road Lumber. Tucson, Az.