Humans are programmed to respond to images, stories, and the rhythm and rhyme of music.  We are stirred by our favorite songs, movies, and books.  Historically, large consumer brands like Coca-Cola, Ford, and Chevy have used music and stories to great effect in establishing a premium market position.  Brands like Facebook, Snapchat, Amazon, and eBay use online storytelling with pictures and customer reviews to build extraordinary value for their shareholders.  How can a commercial service contractor take advantage of these human tendencies to similarly build the value of their service brand?

CEO of Service Trade and the author of The Digital Wrap, Billy Marshall, will join us in Huntington Beach this year at the MSCA18 education conference and share his wisdom on the importance of building valuable customer relationships through online engagement. Pull your customers into an online experience that will transform your service brand by becoming a great digital storyteller and watch how it can earn you more pay for less work.

Your company must establish a hearing conservation program to help prevent occupational noise-related hearing loss when mechanical construction, service, and/or fabrication shop workers can be exposed to noise levels that are at or above established permissible exposure levels. MCAA’s Model Hearing Conservation Program can be quickly and easily tailored to create a company-specific hearing conservation program.

If you have any questions about this publication, or about other occupational safety and health issues, please contact Pete Chaney.

Have you ever eaten a corned beef sandwich from Zingerman’s Restaurant in Ann Arbor, MI? If not, you have missed out on one of life’s greatest experiences. But there is a lot more than just bread and meat behind that sandwich.

Zingerman’s founder, Paul Saginaw believes that he has been successful in spite of the fact that he has limited natural talent and abilities because he has always thought that the only real limits are those of vision. At the October MSCA18 Education Conference in Huntington Beach, CA, Paul will share his inspirational and “visioning” approach to business that has lead to Zingerman’s success.

Zingerman’s started in 1982 as 1300 square feet of combined restaurant and specialty food retail space, run by Paul, his co-founder and two employees. The Zingerman’s Community of Businesses now has 22 partners, employs over 750 people and generates over $65 million in annual sales from ten separate businesses. Inc. Magazine called Zingerman’s “the coolest small company in America.” During his conference presentation, Paul will explain why Great Service, Open Book Management, and Visioning have created a culture of engagement and appreciation from the front line to the organization’s governing body with behind-the-scenes “secrets” that are invaluable in building a special, sustainable business of any kind. Whether you’re running a law office, a library, a restaurant, a record label, a software firm, or a mechanical service company, Zingerman’s approach is sure to help your business thrive.

The MSCA18 Education Conference will be held October 21 – 24, 2018 at the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort and Spa, Huntington Beach, CA.

MCAA and the UA will cosponsor a dinner cruise for UA and MCAA representatives attending the 2018 Women Build Nations Conference. Women in the Mechanical Industry Initiative Steering Committee members will represent us at the event, which takes place October 12-14, 2018 in Seattle, WA. The conference offers opportunities for women in the trades and industry stakeholders to network and share challenges and experiences.

Most companies are simply not designed to survive. They become successful on the basis of one big idea or breakthrough product. The companies that will thrive in the near future are the ones not only embracing change but breaking the rules. Companies built to survive are a result of deliberate business design decisions smart leaders are making today.  At this year’s MSCA education conference, Mike Walsh, CEO of Tomorrow, will provide thought-provoking advice on business transformation and business survival.  Walsh will outline the mega-trends shaping the future of business and consumer behavior, and the lessons learned on leveraging disruptive innovation, adopting a data-driven mindset and leading change through digital transformation. Walsh will provide additional take home value by providing “Mind Grenades” – thought-provoking questions and “next action” ideas and concrete suggestions specific for the HVACR industry.

Register by July 21, 2018 and you will enjoy Early Bird member savings!

Now is a great time to remind your fitters, plumbers, service technicians, and their supervisors about heat illnesses and how to prevent them.  The heat illnesses we’re most concerned about include heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat syncope, and heat cramps.

HEAT STROKE: The body loses its ability to sweat and can’t control its temperature. Heat stroke is a medical emergency.

HEAT EXHAUSTION: The body sweats away too much water and salt.

HEAT SYNCOPE: The body’s blood pressure becomes too low resulting in dizziness or fainting.

HEAT CRAMPS: The body experiences painful muscle spasms.

To help prevent heat illnesses:

• Provide training for all affected workers on heat illnesses and prevention methods.
• On extremely hot days, reduce the physical demands on your workers as much as possible.
• Work tasks that are particularly physically demanding should be performed early in the morning or later in the afternoon avoiding the hottest part of the day.
• Provide a constant supply of cold water.
• Encourage your workers to drink at least a full cup of cold water every 15 to 20 minutes throughout each day.
• Encourage your workers to avoid drinking alcohol, caffeine, and high sugar content drinks during periods of extremely hot temperatures.
• Allow frequent rest periods in cool shaded areas.
• Encourage your workers to wear light-weight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing made of breathable fabrics that are also designed to filter out harmful UV rays.
• Keep a close watch on workers who are at higher risk for heat illnesses. For example, workers required to wear hot personal protective equipment, such as arc flash gear, welding gear, respirators, etc., and overweight workers may be at higher risk.