[avatar user=”johnswan” size=”130″ align=”left”]John Swan
President of the Packaged Ice Association of Australasia, Inc.[/avatar]
G’day Everyone, Associations And Join Up, The Current Buzz Words In The Ice Industry!
During the course of this year I had an experience with an ice retailer far away from my own delivery area, which helps to emphasise the benefits of being a member of your association. I overheard the retailer lamenting about the poor service of their supplier, and being an avid PIAA member I inquired as to their issues. After a lengthy listening session on my part, I suggested they Google packagedice.com.au, with the suggestion they find the most local member supplier and give them a ring, as well as giving them my business card, and please phone me with an outcome.
Some months later I received a phone call from the retailer to thank me for helping them. I was informed that the local PIAA supplier in their opinion went beyond their expectations to organise a reliable supply of ice and merchandiser. They couldn’t speak highly enough of the assistance given.
After chewing on this second conversation with the retailer, I decided I should investigate. On figuring out who the long time PIAA member was, I rang them and asked about this retailer and their experience in handling the situation. The approach from the PIAA member ice company was pretty easy to comprehend. “We just do what we have been doing for years and almost all of these things are what we have learnt from our fellow members in the ice associations.”
There is no doubt networking amongst association members definitely helps create an edge over non members. Things such as how to deal with customers and relate to their bad experiences and turn them into great experiences for the benefit of both the retailer and the supplier.
The BENEFITS far OUTWEIGH the cost of MEMBERSHIP.
Christmas is upon us and of course here in the land down under (Australia) we are in our silly season. Everyone has to have it yesterday and if they can’t, their stomach thinks their throat’s been cut or the beer tap has run dry.
Even though it has been a slow start this financial year through spring, (some reports to the end of November show a down turn of 15% on last year), the summer is finally here and Xmas is shaping up well. I must say the weather has been fantastic with good warm summer days, cool nights and the occasional summer storm. In my area of the best country in the world, we have three great dams (lakes for you people north of the equator) that are at capacity so the holiday season is looking great.
To all in the packaged ice industry, all the best for the festive season and a happy new year.
I hope 2017 is fantastic and don’t forget to come and visit us in August at our conference on the Sunshine Coast.