HARDI Is Not Participating in the Recession

Education from top experts is a main focus of the HARDI Conference.

An intimate but dynamic group of HARDI members gathered in Ottawa, Ont., Canada, June 25-27, to put the finishing touches on plans for HARDI's 2009 Annual Fall Conference. The Nov. 1-4 Conference, themed “Turning Up the Heat on Recovery: Education, Leadership, Technology,” will be held at the JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes, Orlando, Fla.

HARDI members have come to expect exceptional programming from the association, and the 2009 conference is sure to once again exceed those expectations with its programs, social events and networking opportunities.

Known as “the Coach to the World's Top CEOs,” keynote speaker Tony Jeary will kick off the conference with the subject of Strategic Acceleration: Succeed at the Speed of Life. Strategic Acceleration is about improving clarity, focus and execution to produce superior results faster. Jeary's high-energy presentation is certain to inspire all who attend and prepare them to lead their organizations to new opportunity and success.

Following the conference theme of recovery, other educational tracks attendees will hear should leave them with a positive outlook. HARDI's economist, Alan Beaulieu, always holds a standing-room-only session. This year, his Economic Recovery — Good Times Are Ahead workshop will provide economic forecasts with 96 percent accuracy so companies can improve their performance and profits. Successful leadership in tough times means creating a sense of urgency, getting mutual commitment to action and reexamining your personal leadership model. In his Leadership Techniques in an Economic Recovery educational track, Rick Johnson will cover the realities of effective leadership during economic recovery; discretionary energy and its impact on profitability; making sure you are on the “right” side of the storm; releasing the power of profitability in your employees; and recession-proofing.

Selling Has Nothing to Do with Selling says sales expert Richard Farrell. His educational track under the same title will provide practical, usable “time tested” sales information. Farrell stresses a nonselling posture that allows the salesperson to play the role of a “change agent” rather than a product-centric transactional salesperson. His session promises attendees will learn why most sales organizations are very good at a game no longer being played; why selling is more about sifting, sorting and selecting and less about the art of persuasion; and why closing is a nonevent and the real event is opening.

Chris Compton, HVACREducation.net, will host a session to demonstrate the new HARDI Distance Learning Network (DLN) (its launch will occur at this meeting). This new system not only allows member staffs use of HARDI educational courses but they will also have access to over 1,200 hours of mentored online courses developed by HVACREducation.net. Both BPI and NATE recognize all the courses. Additionally, the new DLN offers use of their Learning Management System (LMS) for employees of HARDI members. Attendees will hear how they can revamp their training programs for consistency of education, access to a wide group of quality programs and improved tracking of a person's progress through the stages of learning.

Another HARDI favorite speaker is Mike Workman, distribution management, leadership and business development expert. Workman will lead the closing keynote address with his discussion titled, Opportunities for Innovative Distribution: From Survive to Thrive. Workman will explore the art of the “long view”: the keys to moving from reacting to current conditions to creating a business environment with distributor advocacy; to defining what can be instead of focusing on what was; to prioritize and focus business on the most profitable segments (customers — suppliers — products) in such a way that there is alignment, not guesswork, to define those metrics that drive us toward thriving in unknown business, governmental and economic environments.