I have been a member of the Iowa Tire Dealers Association for over 15 years. During that period of time I have learned a great deal of information from the ITDA seminars, and more importantly, from the other members. The first meeting that I attended I learned the rules of debt collection. That knowledge has paid my dues many times over each year since.

I have not been subject to any scrap tire disposal fines because of the association's effort to make us aware of any law changes and to lobby against laws that would be negative to the industry.

At the most recent annual meeting and trade show, I acquired knowledge about employer laws and areas of risk in the laws governing job estimates and invoicing.

The ITDA is much like your personal savings account: if you don't commit to putting something into it, you will miss an opportunity to receive dividends later.

 

Charlie Richardson

Johnson Tire & Muffler

Clarinda, Iowa

 

 

From Denison, Iowa:

My dad was an aircraft mechanic. I use to marvel at how good he was when it came to fixing something. He would reach into his toolbox and pull out a special tool designed for the job at hand. He knew which tool to use to do the job right. Quite often, it took several tools to complete the job successfully. But, whatever the need, the tool designed to do the job right was always just an arm=s length away in the toolbox.

As a business manager, you also have a toolbox available to you: a box just filled with special tools designed to help you run your business. Use the tools and you will be successful. Let them lie in the toolbox untouched, and you probably won't be. A good manager always keeps that toolbox within reach and uses every tool available to him on a regular basis.

Being an active member of a trade association like the ITDA is one of those special tools just lying there in your toolbox waiting to be used. Ignore it and nothing happens. Use it, and it becomes a part of your success. Attend the trade shows, talk with your suppliers, take part in the    training sessions and seminars, and most important, talk shop with those who have been in the business longer than you. Combine this activity with the knowledge that the association is looking out for your interests at the State House, and you have a very valuable tool.

I have been in the tire business for over 35 years and became a member of ITDA shortly after it came into being. Membership in the ITDA, and the benefits it has to offer, is a tool that, over the years, I have used quite often. I strongly recommend that this tool be put in your toolbox to be used on a regular basis as a part of your overall management program.

 

Warren Hawn

President, V & H Tire Company

Denison, Iowa

 

 

From Des Moines:

I have been a member of the Iowa Tire Dealers Association since its inception. Several things come to mind as to why I have stayed an active member for over twenty years:

ITDA keeps us represented at the state house.

ITDA keeps each of us in contact with ourselves as respected competitors instead of hostile adversaries.

ITDA lets us find out good things we are doing as well as pointing out things we could do better.

ITDA gives new companies a real head start in getting a lot of information very quickly.

ITDA gives credibility to new employees as to our profession, and that we are not a fly by night industry.

 

Harry Simon

Simon Tire & Cellular

Des Moines, Iowa