InfoElectro Fall / Automne 2017

Fall 2017 InfoElectro 11 By: John Jefkins, VP Marketing & Communications, EFC R ecently, I enjoyed reading Chris Hadfield’s bestseller, “An Astronaut’s Guide to Life”. Hadfield shares his unique experiences and challenges preparing for his arrival on the International Space Station for his training and exploration mission. A key theme woven throughout the book is success. Success must be achieved through cooperation and community, which is especially challenging for these astronauts, given the isolated quarters they’re living in and personality and cultural differences between them. The stakes are high, as they are working on intense, time- sensitive projects that took years of planning and funding. Hadfield reinforces the importance of collaboration and cooperation—two qualities EFC needs to foster to be a strong external and internal voice for the industry. As we enter a new year, the need to adapt and continue to work as a united voice is even more prevalent for EFC and its members. Disruption is now an understatement in the electrical industry with the shift to low-voltage, DC-powered systems outlined in the 2017 EFC Industry Research Report. Its impact on the electrical channel includes LEDs, electrical vehicles, home batteries, renewable energy solutions and the effect on codes and standards and electricians. The report also highlights the new players entering the market. The landscape is fluid and accelerating with changes to codes and standards, monitoring and addressing changes in regulations (such as energy efficiency and extended producer responsibility), counterfeit products, and proposed or restrictive trade laws. Hovering over these opportunities is government legislation and the importance of attracting young talent and aligning careers with new job needs (especially with many retirements). All of this has an impact on how customers are evolving. Ultimately, it is the bottom line that impacts the end customer most. For EFC, the manufacturer, distributor, sales reps and affiliate members are the association’s customers. This extends to our members’ customers. The backbone of EFC is active member engagement at the committee level, product sections and leadership on the Board of Directors and National Advisory Council. For EFC to be the voice of the industry, we need to listen to our members’ successes and challenges. This provides the opportunity for EFC to take on a leadership role by: • Working with members to identify and recruit organizations and sectors into EFC • Sharing best practices with the membership to improve cost efficiencies, grow sales and enhance customer and employee retention • Providing more targeted communications, data and research to meet member needs • Providing leadership and advocacy in identifying key topical information that will impact organizations, such as the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). • Bringing thought-leader experts to events and committees, such as presenting to the Human Resources Committee on family status and disability under the Human Rights legislation • Communicating detailed codes and standards updates that are understood and applicable to our members’ businesses Hadfield marvels at the beauty and size of the universe and the smallness of earth from his vantage point in space. He now has a broader perspective. The famous saying “one cannot see the forest for the trees” is a challenge for any business. EFC will continue to provide leadership to identify opportunities and threats – keeping our eye on the evolution of the customer for you, our members. Remember, you are EFC’s customers and we are here to provide the best possible service. EFC Helps Members Prepare for Opportunities Cooperation & Collaboration Time to upgrade your legacy data provider Grow sales with the leader in electrical product and pricing content The data we get from IDW is cleaner and more accurate , because the manufacturers aren’t just submitting prices to a service. As a result, everything syncs a lot better. John Cox, IT Director First Electric Supply idea4industry.com · 703.562.4600 info@idea4industry.com Get high quality marketing content. For EFC to be the voice of the industry, we need to listen to our members’ successes and challenges.