Hearthlist Digest #270 - Saturday, February 20, 1999 CD-ROM at HPA by "Craig Issod" <[email protected]> The Countdown to HPA's EXPO - Phoenix by "Sue Kalish" <[email protected]>
(back) Subject: CD-ROM at HPA From: Craig Issod <[email protected]> Date: Fri, 19 Feb 1999 18:28:33 -0500 As John Crouch mentioned in an earlier post, HPA will have a free membership CD available at the EXPO, which I understand will be given away at their booth. The ITC (Information Technology Committee) worked along with HPA staff to produce this first issue of a proposed Membership CD. We are, in effect, testing the waters to see if members will find this CD useful. The information on the CD can easily be copied to your computer hard disk, so each company need only pick up one. The CD works on Windows 95/98/NT4.0 and Macintosh computers. It contains: 1. A seachable database of all HPA members - find your contacts and friends by name, state, company, type of business, etc. 2. The complete Executive Summary of an (expensive and extensive) study just completed by GRI (Gas Research Institute) in cooperation with HPA and a consulting firm. This study in itself makes the CD worth your time. 3. Extensive introductions and content from HPA's training programs. This material is educational in itself, whether or not you do decide to purchase the full versions of the programs. 4. Video introductions to some of the HPA staff, as well as example of other video that can be produced on CD-ROM or the Internet. 5. A PDF (Portable Document Format) version of the entire HPA directory. 6. Demos of POS and Business Management systems for use in Hearth and Service businesses. 7. Installers for programs (Acrobat Reader, Netscape, Quicktime) that you may want on your computer. and more.... You'll find that the searchable directory can become very useful. By copying this (it's only about 5 MB) to every computer in your business, you'll find your productivity enhanced. There is a lot of improvements that we hope to be able to make to future versions of this CD. We are looking forward to your comments and suggestions. ------------------------------------------------------ Craig Issod HearthNet at http://www.hearth.com [email protected] Everything your Hearth Desires ------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------
(back) Subject: The Countdown to HPA's EXPO - Phoenix From: Sue Kalish <[email protected]> Date: Sat, 20 Feb 1999 11:41:50 -0500 The Countdown to HPA's EXPO - Phoenix It's four weeks and counting for the tremendous Hearth & Home EXPO '99. Industry manufacturers are breaking all booth records with their plans to show you the largest selection and variety of new products ever. Barbecues are going to be HOT in Phoenix along with companies who can provide you with suggestions and ideas for counter-seasonal products and accessories. EXPO Sales & Marketing education sessions focus on store design and layout, store image, great tips on selling barbecues, what's new in backyard rooms and entertainment centers, and mystery shopping, in addition to store promotions and advertising. The Business Management sessions cover strategies for competing for hearth dealers, computers, protecting your company from internal theft, and of course, the Y2K "bug" what is it and why is this industry so involved with this issue. HPA's Technical sessions cover vent-free issues, troubleshooting appliances for your service staff, carbon monoxide, and codes and standards, to name a few. All of these education sessions are available by purchasing an Education Badge for $69 (HPA member price). Purchase your badge on-site for access for these continuing education musts. Keep ahead of your competition! HPA's Professional Hearth Dealer (PHD) program continues with two new full-day courses. The March 24th course covers the content of and how to use the HPA Retail Sales Training Program with a trainer from The Friedman Group. This course will be both entertaining (Harry Friedman hires only the best trainers) and necessary if you ever need to train new sales associates. Learn how to use the Retail Sales Training Program in your store. The March 25th course, Show Me the Money - Getting Financial Control of Your Business, is a carefully crafted course by Pat McGraw, one of HPA's highest rated instructors, incorporating case studies from the recent HPA Dealer Operating Study, and giving HPA members the time they need with Pat on business finance issues. Each of these courses has separate registration. The price is $129 (HPA member) and includes a copy of the PHD accompanying manual/guidebook, lunch and breaks. If you're smart, you'll purchase an Education Badge for each of your people and assign each where to go and when. Purchase a registration for each of the PHD courses, then schedule a post-show lunch and talk about what each learned and brainstorm how the information and ideas can be applied in your company. Questions? Call Sue Kalish at HPA, 703-522-0086 or of course, e-mail, at [email protected]. I can't wait to get there - how about you!