BusyBeeNews - July/August 2022

PETER EDDINGER & GARY DYKE

7.29.22

Congratulations are in order for Peter E and Gary D – This team just sold the Bell County Jail job - $267,125.

Peter and Gary worked tirelessly yesterday as they were up against a deadline of today for the pricing to remain in place. From my understanding, they had to hunt down the engineer (to get his approval of AOS as an alternate) as he was in an airport trying to board a plane.

Teamwork makes the dreamwork! Congratulations to you both!

Dianna Bryant - InsideSales/CustomerService Supervisor

ALL BEEHIVE ASSOCIATES!!!

I just wanted to let you all know that our customers were extremely impressed with the tour and hospitality today. I heard comments like “wow I didn’t know anything like this existed” after they walked the warehouse. It was very helpful for them to see all we have to offer in stock.

Scott Carder - Oklahoma Group Account Manager

7.13.22

LORI POINDEXTER Just wanted to shout-out Lori on having my back when I was out.

She was the driver behind this paintbrush PO from WinSupply San Antonio.

Teamwork makes the dream work!

Austin O’Riley - Account Manager - Central Texas

MICHAEL OUSLEY & KATIE IRWIN

I did a Watts training at Ferguson Spring today with all of the inside sales teams. I always ask the question who do you enjoy working with on the inside sales teams at Cunningham. Two names really stood out.

Michael Ousley. Very knowledgeable, helpful and patient with all of their questions, especially on Orion.

Katie Irwin extremely positive and nice every day. As fellow inside sales members they really wanted to know how she stays so upbeat/energetic every day because they know it can be hard.

Thank you both for all the hard work. I just wanted you to know it does not go unnoticed in the field!

Alec Cooper - Account Manager - HoustonMetro

7.13.22

WHAT THE HIVE CAN TEACH BUSINESSES ABOUT

LEADERSHIP, EFFICIENCY,

& GROWTH

LESSON #22 THE WISDOM OF BEES by: Michael O’Malley, Ph.D. DO GOOD BY DOING WELL Without compromising their mission of survival and reproductive growth, honeybees give us plenty for which to be thankful. Indeed, the honeybee colony may well be the original sustainable enterprise. Honeybees were practicing social responsibility long before it became fashionable.

Honeybees also are conservationists. They do not extract every drop of nectar or speck of pollen from flowers, thereby ensuring the flowers’ future yield potential. In addition, bees recycle, or re-manufacture, honey.

Honeybees’ sustainable industriousness has yielded one of the most commercially successful products in history: honey. People have used honey as currency, medication, cosmetics, food, and drink.

Honey was the sacred glue of a community: in fact, honey is a sensory representation of the community since it is a compilation of the best moments from the floral landscape.

Bees do what they do well and we benefit. In contrast to industry in which there is often a tug-of war between corporate and social purposes, a seamless connection exists between the colony’s operations and the many benefits it bestows.

If we want vibrant communities, what we need most are successful businesses that employ ever more workers, attract other companies to town, and stimulate a healthy and prosperous retail scene.

More Pollen The bees do good works by doing well, giving us products that make our lives, dare I say sweeter.

The bees, however, never deviate from their primary mission. They responsibly deliver their goods while sticking to what they do best-harvesting nectar and pollen. Companies, too, can do much good while at the same time remaining focused.

Most of all, companies can do much good by creating high-quality products that people want and by inserting social consciousness seamlessly into their corporate strategies. For example, companies can pay farmers in developing countries a fair wage, use clean energy to generate power, or use recycled goods in the manufacture of products as a fundamental way they choose to do business.

submitted by susan charlton

Are you married? Yes

Mountains or beach? Beach

Favorite food to eat? Picanha

What size shoe do you wear? 11

Do you have kids? 1 Girl and 2 Boys

Favorite type of dessert? Tres Leches

Favorite “adult beverage”? Miller Lite

Favorite hobby or pastime? Golf/Baseball

Favorite cartoon growing up? The Simpsons

Do you prefer a sports car or a pick-up? Pick-up

What will you NOT eat if it’s on a pizza? Black Olives

Are you an “indoor” person or an “outdoor” person? Outdoor

Who was the president the year you were born? Ronald Reagan What’s the best vacation you’ve been on? Dominican Republic

How many teams or departments have you worked in for HMC? One What’s a family nickname they have for you? Nothing Appropriate Who was the biggest professional influence on you career? My Dad

What was your first “real job”? Receiving/Warehouse for Morrison Supply If you could meet one historical figure, who would it be? Jackie Robinson

Did you have a favorite pet growing up? My first dog Jake “The Snake” Roberts

#1 TAKE REGULAR BREAKS

ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS YOU CAN DO DURING THE WORKDAY TO STAY HEALTHY AND IN SHAPE IS TO EXERCISE. BUT GIVEN YOUR BUSY WORK SCHEDULE, GOING TO THE GYM MIGHT NOT BE AN OPTION. HOWEVER, IT’S IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT EXERCISE DOESN’T HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THE END OF THE DAY. SCHEDULING WALKING MEETINGS OR WALKING TO GET LUNCH IS A GREAT IDEA – NOT ONLY ARE YOU BURNING CALORIES, BUT YOU’RE DE-STRESSING AND REFRESHING.

#2 PACK A LUNCH

THE SECOND IMPORTANT TIP TO STAY HEALTHY AT WORK IS NUTRITION. TAKING CONTROL OF HOW MUCH FOOD YOU CONSUME AND THE KIND OF FOOD YOU EAT AT WORK IS VITAL TO A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE. THE EASIEST WAY TO CONTROL YOUR PORTION SIZES AND FOOD SELECTION IS TO PACK YOUR OWN LUNCH. JUST AS WE ARE TAUGHT AS KIDS TO EAT EVERYTHING ON OUR PLATE, THE PORTION SIZE PROVIDED IS OFTEN WHAT DICTATES HOW MUCH YOU EAT. IF YOU PACK THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF FOOD AND PROPER SERVING SIZES, YOU TAKE CONTROL.

#3 PAY ATTENTION TO POSTURE TENSION NECK SYNDROME (TNS) CAN OCCUR WHEN THE NECK AND UPPER SHOULDERS ARE HELD IN A FIXED AND AWKWARD POSITION FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, ACCORDING TO NIEHS (NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SCIENCES).

THIS IS COMMON IN THE WORKPLACE, ESPECIALLY FOR PEOPLE WHO ROUTINELY TALK ON THE PHONE FOR A LARGE PART OF THE DAY OR TYPE EXTENSIVELY. TNS CAN CAUSE NECK AND SHOULDER PAIN, MUSCLE TIGHTNESS, AND MUSCLE TENDERNESS AND CAN LEAD TO MORE COMPLICATIONS AND PAIN DOWN THE ROAD IF THE POSTURE ISN’T CORRECTED.

#4 REDUCE EYESTRAIN

FOR EMPLOYEES WHO WORK AT A COMPUTER, IT IS COMMON TO HAVE TO LOOK AT A SCREEN ALMOST HALF OF THEIR WAKING HOURS. THIS EXTENDED PERIOD OF STARING CAN GIVE HEADACHES, DRY EYES, OR BLURRED VISION. THE EASIEST WAY OF FIGHTING THIS PROBLEM IS TO TAKE REGULAR BREAKS USING 20-20-20 RULE. IT MEANS THAT AFTER EVERY 20 MINUTES, SHIFT YOUR EYES TO AN OBJECT 20 FEET AWAY FOR 20 SECONDS.

#5 LOOK FOR SIGNS OF STRESS

LASTLY, BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, IT IS IMPORTANT TO PAY ATTENTION TO MENTAL HEALTH. THIS HAS BECOME A PROMINENT TOPIC OVER THE LAST DECADE AS EMPLOYERS HAVE TAKEN MORE INITIATIVES TO UNDERSTAND AND SUPPORT MENTAL HEALTH IN THE WORKPLACE. SIGNS OF A STRESSED EMPLOYEE INCLUDE TIREDNESS AND IRRITABILITY, INDECISIVENESS, REDUCED WORK QUALITY, POOR JUDGMENT, AND PHYSICAL ILLNESS RESULTING IN HEADACHES, NAUSEA, ACHES, & PAINS. Taken from: 5 Health and Wellness Tips For Employees (mycirclecare.com)

ACCORDING TO TIME MAGAZINE, CANCER DEATHS HAVE DROPPED BY 25% IN THE US SINCE 1991 AND BREAST CANCER DEATHS SPECIFICALLY HAVE DROPPED BY 39%!

ALSO, THERE IS A “CANCER VACCINE” BEING DEVELOPED AT STANFORD, WHICH ELIMINATED TUMORS IN MICE AND IS MOVING TOWARDS STARTING TESTING ON HUMANS!

Jesus Velazquez Adam Merritt Chris White

We’ve seen a lot of changes over the years. In the mid 80’s when I first started in this industry minimum wage was $3.35 per hour, I was happy to start at $4.00. Needless to say, the cost of living was much less than it is now. Invoices were handwritten, PO’s were called in or faxed. We used two-way radios to communicate with drivers. Map books were necessities, no GPS or navigation. We knew the streets. Now navigation is relied on too often.

Then came the 90’s and we had to learn how to use a computer (SCARY). Dial up internet soon after. Sales calls required a beeper and a pocket full of dimes. My first cell phone was a Motorola, better known as “The Brick.” No service plans, $2.00 per minute. Oh, The Brick cost about $2500.00. We later upgraded to the Black Berry, Nextel two way, then smart phones. Nextel and texting were the only way to communicate in NOLA after Hurricane Katrina in 2005 (my first experience with texting). I can go on and on. We’ve come a long way with technology, for the better. Never thought Wi-Fi would be a thing. Technology changes our lives, makes things easier and more efficient. I’ve learned to embrace it. It will only evolve beyond our imaginations.

Fast forward to the present! We are now entering a recession (Just my opinion). Wages are increasing but not keeping up with inflation. Gas prices hit record highs, although they have gone down a little. Utilities bills are through the roof, not going down any time soon.

Home values hit record highs and are now dropping. Interest rates increasing. Stock markets took a big hit affecting our 401k’s. So on and so on. I feel for those on fixed incomes or approaching retirement age. This is nothing new, we’ve been through similar situations before.

Now the good news! We live in the greatest Country in the world. We live in the best region of the Country. We seem to be the last to feel the effects of a recession, and first to recover. We are lucky to be in this business. HVAC, Plumbing, Water Works, Fire, and Irrigation are ALL necessities. Things may get tough, but we need to hold our heads up and keep doing what we do best. Keep providing the best customer service in the industry. Our customers deserve the best. We do not exist without them.

History tells us things will get better. We will come out stronger than ever!

BUSINESS UPDATE by hal haas

Beginning in October, our company will start reporting to all our manufacturers, any additional steps that we take in promoting their products. This would include field site visits, trainings, counter days, social media posts and other promotional activities done on their behalf in the previous quarter. This report was the idea of our president, Jim Ambery. He thinks it is important for us to show our manufacturers the steps our agency takes to promote their products beyond the relationships our account managers have with distributors and contractors in our territories.

Every manufacturer’s representative agency has salespeople (account managers) that call on distributors and contractors to promote sales, but the additional services HMC offers are what make us different and better as an agency.

Our FactorySupportTeam (FST) supplies in-field support for product start-ups, installation issues, factory product issues and verification of warranty on products. FST also provides product trainings to our wholesaler and contractor partners for greater familiarity with the application, operation and troubleshooting of these products. The marketing team sends out email blasts, social media posts and assists with the setup for counter days and trade shows. Our inside sales teams provide top quality customer support and make sure that orders are entered accurately and efficiently. The DistributionGroup (DG) works with our manufacturers and purchasing to make sure that we have the necessary inventory in our main warehouse and annexes. DG also makes sure that orders are pulled accurately, and shipped to deliver on-time, to meet the schedules of the contractors on the job. With all of us working together with the sales force, our agency provides a service that is unmatched in the industry.

With the kickoff of this new report, we hope to show our manufacturers what we already know, HMC is a step above the other rep agencies!

submitted by susan charlton

MIKE KENTON - FCG ACCOUNT MANAGER - HOUSTON Mike Kenton comes to us from Strahman Valves where he was the Regional Sales Manager. Mike is a US Coast Guard veteran, has been married to his wonderful wife Tiffany for 21 years. He has three awesome boys, Ethan, Dakota, and Chase. His favorite food is steak, chicken wings and chips. His favorite color is orange and enjoys country music.

JED MOORE - PSEAM - HOUSTON Jed Moore comes to us from General Insulation Company where he held several positions, including Industrial Special Projects Manager and Territory Manager. Jed has two boys ages 10 and 13, was born in Chicago, but raised near Duluth, Minnesota. He has been in Texas for the last eleven years, enjoys hockey, traveling, experiencing different cultures and foods.

KRYSTAL MCLAUGHLIN - GSG ACCOUNT MANAGER - HOUSTON Krystal McLaughlin was the Project Manager, in her latest role at Outdoor Elements, where she has worked for the last three years.

She lives in Houston but was born and raised in Louisiana. Krystal has three children, likes to travel, fish, and enjoys live music.

MATT TINDELL - INSIDE SALES - SAN ANTONIO Matt Tindell was Lead Salesman at Tool Mart where he worked for 17 years. He was born in San Antonio, has four children, two boys and two girls, loves country music, Mexican food, and likes to fish.

SCOTT NEIMER - PLUMBING QUOTATION SPECIALIST Scott Neimer comes to us from Mayco Sales where he was in Quotations and Inside Sales. He has a business degree from Tarleton State University.

JARED KNIGHT - INSIDE SALES - TEAM5 Jared Knight was Warehouse Manager at Renaissance Repair and Supply and before coming to HMC. He was born in Tennessee and raised all over the South in SEC country (Roll Tide!!). He grew up playing baseball, and despite how terrible they are, he still considers himself a Rangers fan. Jared collects sports cards and sells/ trades them online and at local card shows. He has two daughters, who are both competitive dancers, so he is a “Dance Dad” and has a wonderful wife of 24 years.

PATRICK MCINTOSH - DG - 1ST SHIFT Patrick McIntosh grew up in Los Angeles. He is an avid Dallas Cowboys fan and enjoys listening to music.

SHERLYN BARRON - DG - 1ST SHIFT Sherlyn Barron grew up in Arlington, TX. She graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School and is attending Richland Community College. She enjoys reading and spending time with her rat terrier, Quill, in her spare time.

OWEN TERRY - DG - 2ND SHIFT Owen Terry is currently attending high school and has worked as an assistant manager at a breakfast restaurant. He enjoys reading and bowling with his friends when he gets some free time.

TEAM6

8.24.22

“Good evening – Thanks to everyone in Team 6 that gave me assistance on this order.

Lots of follow up and very good packaging on the materials.

Really appreciate the support.

Cheers!”

John Coffman - WeServU LTD.

GARY DYKE “I would just like to publicly thank Gary Dyke for the detailed marketing request for the upcoming ASPE show in October!

Below is a perfect example of what the Marketing Department is looking for to help ensure the success of a great show…plenty of lead time and product specific information so that we have time to put good video loops together to use with the new tv’s that are now in all markets.

Thanks Gary!

Michelle Mitchell - Marketing Manager

8.17.22

THE CAT NAMED “HONEY” LIVES NEAR THE ASSOCIATE ENTRANCE. HONEY APPEARS TO BE FINANCIALLY INDEPENDENT. SHE OWNS A LITTLE GREEN HOUSE, WEARS A COLLAR, & SOMEHOW IS ABLE TO PROVIDE FOOD & WATER FOR HERSELF. QUITE IMPRESSIVE FOR A LITTLE STRAY CAT!

DE N MARK M EXICO BRAZI L CH I NA I N DIA CANADA AFGHAN ISTAN ARGE NTI NA E NGLAN D TURKEY CAM BODIA ICE LAN D FRANCE KE NYA CH I LE N ETH E RLAN DS NORWAY N IGE RIA SWE DE N JAPAN