THtr SOUTHLAND

By WAYNE executive vice oresident

f v f nv association conducrs, bthroughout the year, many meetings and seminars for the benefit of its members.

Most of us. when we look at an announcement for a meeting, look at the dates and conclude that we either can or cannot attend that particular meeting because of conflicts that it would present to our schedules.

This, in many ways, is a mistake. A meeting notice should be looked at with the thought in mirrd that first we can gain some information from the agenda items but secondly that we can benefit from the social aspects of the meeting.

Within the framework of the social aspects, business discussions often arise from meeting others who are experiencing some of the same problems or who have experienced our problems and have solved them.

In looking at an announcement for a meeting with a more objective viewpoint, many of us would attend meetings that we would not otherwise attend.

By not attending, in many cases, we deprive ourselves of the opportunity that exists to gain an insight into a competitor, supplier, and hence into ourselves and our business.

LASC conducts area meetings in the Spring and Fall in l0 different marketing areas. These are for the benefit of the entire industry in Southern California, not just our members. As a result, we have a much greater opportunity to meet and discuss matters of importance with people that we might not normally come in contact with in our daily activities.

November l'7-19 we will conduct the 26th Annual Management Conference in Palm Springs at the Spa Hotel. The subject to be discussed is "Money". How to get it for the operation of our business, how to make better use of it after we have obtained it and. how to retain a greater portion of that which passes through our hands in the daily conduct of our business.

On the lOth of December, a group of members leave for a seven day cruise to Mexico. During this time, they will be discussing "Opportunities For Better Profits In 1977". William Baugh of William Baugh and Associates will be the principal speaker. Others from the industry will participate in panel discussions throughout the entire seven day period.

All of these meetings present oppor- tunities to learn more about the industry, competitors and about yourself as an individual. It is an opportu- nity to expand yourself and your business and do a better job than at present. Watch for the announcement concerning these meetings. Look at them with more objectivity. Think not only in terms of the agenda items, but of the social aspects and the business discussions that can be conducted outside of that planned agenda.

Plan on attending the meetings. Prepare a list of questions you would like answered and as you meet and talk with other members of the industry, ask them the questions that you have prepared. They in turn will be asking questions. You will be enriched tremendously by the experience that you have had in sharing your problems and your solutions with others in the industry.