Electrical Association

Get Connected

Written by John Kuntz

The best business advice I have heard lately is to focus only on things I can control. Using the help that is available in finding ways to solve problems for customers is motivating in today's somewhat depressing world. Connecting with other contractors, builders groups, existing customers, and electrical distributors has generated business. The following are some events that will make your business and your future stronger:

LEED construction...is easier than you may think for electrical contractors. Mike Finley's tour of Great River Energy's (GRE) Platinum LEED-certified headquarters building will make it clear that the specifications and design work of the architects and engineers are the hard part. Minimal new equipment or techniques are required of the electrician. Tim Geise of Werner and Rob Olson of EESCO United will be there to discuss green construction and to answer questions at MEA's Spring Conference on Thursday, March 19. For more information about GRE, go to www.greatriverenergy.com/about/energyefficientbldgs.html.

Prevailing wage requirements...All of the construction paid for with monies from the Stimulus Package will be prevailing wage work. At MEA's Spring Conference on Friday, March 20, Roslyn Wade, Director of Labor Standards & Apprenticeship, will be speaking about changes to the prevailing wage laws and how to comply with them-whether you do or don't have a registered apprentice program. Also Doug Seaton of Seaton, Beck & Peters will have a webcast on how to comply with prevailing wage regulations on MEA's web site in April.

Public construction...At MEA's Spring Conference on Saturday, March 21, Steve Sviggum, Commissioner of Labor, will talk about how Minnesota will use the $9 billion in Stimulus Package money intended primarily for public works projects such as roads, aging schools, energy efficiency in public buildings, sewage and waste disposal, water supply, public security.

Lighting retrofits save money for customers...Rob Olson at EESCO United is flying experts in to MEA's Summer Conference on Friday, June 12, to show how effective electrical distributors can be in helping you do the following:

• Understand the newest developments in lighting and what to expect in the near future
• Train your staff on new products
• Visit the sites(s) to evaluate the kind of lighting and the amount required
• Prepare the design and bid
• Meet with the customer to evaluate their needs and to close the sale
• Work with you in making a plan to install the lighting as quickly as possible
• Get rebates for your customers
• Troubleshoot installation problems
• Explain how green construction has become affordable

A tent full of vendors will show you the latest products to increase your sales and production. In addition to being an expert in the product show, Tim Geise and Werner Electric will be providing one of their famous shore lunches.

Hospitality Suite...While the hospitality suites are fun, they give contractors the time to discuss how they are streamlining their operations, how to determine which electricians are best at protecting profit margins, how to trim expenses (not electricians) and increase productivity per electrician, how to increase marketing and sales without increasing costs, and more. If you attend MEA's Spring Conference dinner meeting on Friday, March 20, please stop into the Hospitality Suite to relax and exchange ideas.

MEA has been a great resource for expanding relationships with other electrical contractors. Those relationships have generated a significant amount of business for my company along with providing information about how to operate my business more successfully. I urge you to come to these meetings and start reaping the many benefits of membership in MEA.

Thank you for allowing me to serve as the Chair of the MEA Board for the last year.