Lights, Camera, Action!

Posted 9/17/2012
By Ron Nagy, AAM, Chairman

I can’t believe ASRW 2012 is here! The culmination of a lot of hard work by people from the Hanley Wood staff, Bill Haas, and ASA and AMI staffers Denise Caspersen, Robbie Addison and Toni Slaton – just to name a few. Plus, volunteers such as Bill Moss, Mitch Schneider, Aaron Clements, Mike Brewster, Dave Kusa, Pete Rudloff, Betty Jo Young, Tommy Clayton, Tom McGee, Diane Rodenhouse, Dan Stander, Jerry Burns, Darrell Amberson, April Hernandez, Scott Benavidez, Stacy Bartnik and Roger Wright.

They’ve made it possible to have ASRW’s fantastic classes and panel discussions.

It sure doesn’t seem like it’s been a year since we were in sunny Orlando for the 2011 event, but the year has come and gone and now here we are in New Orleans! The city of recovery. I am sure you remember that in 2005 Katrina devastated New Orleans, flooding and destroying nearly everything … except the spirit and drive of its strong citizens.

That was seven years ago and look at what has been rebuilt. Look at what has been accomplished in that short time. But not everything has been rebuilt. So who or what makes that choice as to whether to go forward or give up?

All of us as business owners and managers sometimes face devastating events. It might be personal, business – even emotional. How do we respond? Do we charge forward or give up?

I have just finished reading Viktor Frankl’s book, “Man’s Search for Meaning.” What an incredible story of survival. Frankl also tells how he learned to use devastation in his search for meaning, and how he uses the events of his having been a concentration camp inmate to counsel others.

The last several years have been economically tough on businesses and hard on owners, managers and their families.

So here we are, in the city that decided to rebuild with a resolve that only each person can decide to do on his or her own. So my question to each of you: Where are you at this point, after the last couple of years? I challenge you to take this time to reflect on your personal life, your emotional and spiritual well-being, and your business.

Now, take in everything you can absorb from the ASRW conference and trade show. Take plenty of notes that you can call back on to review. Meet with as many other business owners, managers and technicians as you can. Chat with the speakers. And if you see me, tap me on the shoulder and introduce yourself. And then charge straightforward, taking your business to the next level with all of the drive you can muster.

Let’s use the example of the great city of New Orleans to give us the encouragement to never give up and to march forward. It’s not easy, but then, as the old advertising slogan went: “If it was easy, everyone would do it!”

I hope you all enjoy ASRW 2012.

Editor’s note: Be sure to stop by the ASA booth – N1241 – during ASRW|NACE|CARS Expo hours! And check out our special ASRW coverage on pages 18-27 of this issue.