STATES

FRED CARUSO executive secretary

llnvnN DEALER and suPPlier Emembers met recently to brainstorm the subject of education and training. They determined that employee training and the use of our own members as teachers and seminar leaders are important items in planning education programs in the coming year(s).

George Gotto, Lamar Building Material Supply, Lamar, Co., said that we need to learn how to motivate and reward our employees in ways other than more money. Employees need maintenance to keep going. Ed Kraich, Alpine Lumber, Louisville, Co.,said, "We need to train our employees to survive."

Tony Tiemann, a retired manager from Everitt Lumber Co. in Greeley, Co., said that untrained and poorly trained em- ployees are a waste of people and talent. Tiemann described the basic education program he is conducting on a part-time basis for Everitt's. Entitled, "How to Talk

Like a Lumber Pro," his program endeavors to impart "initiative, enthusiasm and product knowledge" to beginning employees one-on-one in small groups. He uses edsting materials such as La Belle film tapes and product brochures.

The plan for holding "management retreats" in Utah and Colorado in the late spring was announced. The format of the meetings will be part social and part educational with an emphasis on round-table idea exchanges and a structured seminar. Gotto suggested, and it was agreed by others, that we come up with our own resource people to lead the discussions rather than hiring expensive outside "experts. " He also suggested that meaningful spouses' programs should be offered at all meetings and conventions. Many wives are partners in the business and others are in-