Social Network: (noun) a network of individuals connected by interpersonal relationships.
Who’s in your social truss network? I’m not talking about a Facebook friend who also builds trusses or a LinkedIn contact you met a couple years ago at an industry event. I’m talking about the people you feel comfortable discussing the interworkings of your operation with. If you’re like a majority of component manufacturers, your social truss network might be a bit lonely online and off! It probably consists of you, your fellow co-workers and maybe a couple of the plate supplier’s sales people that call on your location.
You may personally know a few of your competitors and fellow SBCA Chapter members, but how free are you with them about your company? It’s tempting to make your business seem a little better than it really is if business is good. Alternately, to make business seem a little worse that it is, if business is bad. It makes sense if you don’t want to give somebody who ships to your markets a heads up on how you feel the market is really performing.
So you may know a few local manufacturers, but that doesn’t help you navigate the problems you’re currently experiencing. So most likely, you turn to your plate sales person. After all, they are supposed to be experts, right? Their solutions typically involve an additional piece of software or a newer piece of equipment manufactured by their company (which also includes a nice sized commission for them). So while the plate salesperson’s interests generally align with yours, you need to be wary about whether their advice is truly in your best interest or their own.
That may be a bit pessimistic, but I say it merely to point out that while you might get good advice from your suppliers, it is likely not going to be unbiased. So, where do you go for an unbiased perspective?
Ideally, it comes from a component manufacturer working in today’s market but in a region you have no chance of competing in. A few years ago, the SBCA offered an opportunity just like this called “Business Solutions Groups.” It was a chance to talk about the ups and downs of business, ask for advice and think critically about your business, while offering opinions on others’ questions. Many of these groups went dormant during the downturn, so perhaps it’s time to breathe new life into this concept and switch up the group members or see if the old gangs want to regroup.
Another solid option is to become more involved in SBCA activities in general. How does one do this? A good first step is participating in the SBCA Open Quarterly Meetings (OQM) held in various cities across the country each year. Each OQM includes topical committee meetings, a manufacturers-only roundtable discussion and an SBCA Board meeting. It’s a great way to find out the market challenges the association is finding solutions for, and a great way to meet fellow manufacturers operating outside your local market.
After attending a couple meetings you’ll get to know the others who are also showing up and inevitably the “how’s business?” question will come up. OQMs are a great way to learn about others’ operations and have the ability to strike up conversations going forward, long after the OQM is over. Now I’m not saying to start asking questions about margins the first time you meet a guy (which I’ve witnessed), but it’s a time to be curious and learn some lessons you can take home and implement in your operation.
I recommend this path of action because it’s the path I unwittingly took when I became involved with SBCA activities. I journeyed to my first OQM to ensure our SBCA-Montana Chapter would be approved for membership and discovered I learned a ton in the process. After doing so for a few meetings, I discovered I was earning quite the education that I otherwise would have depended on my own mistakes and plate rep to learn. As a consequence, I’ve made a great deal of business relationships and friendships throughout the association and I encourage you to follow suit.
I personally invite you to become more involved with SBCA activities, you won’t regret the investment. For details about the upcoming OQM in Fort Worth, TX on March 2-3, visit the SBCA website.