STAFDA's family of endorsed consultants provide members with quarterly bulletins on:

• credit/collections
• inventory
• legal
• legislative
• personnel
• profit
• safety
• sales
• tax report
• tax tips
• technology
• warehousing/showroom design

These same experts are available to members for free phone consultations.

Each November, the convention brings together over 5,000 industry leaders for educational, business and social activities. The meeting always features a full Trade Show and provides a cost-effective way to meet with policy-level supplier executives. Since the show is a buying show, distributors can take advantage of exhibitor show specials and prize drawings.

Every three years, STAFDA surveys its associate members on business conditions, sales policies, technology and Association matters. The last survey was compiled January 2006 and is available free of charge from the STAFDA office.

Background Checks (back to top)

Screening new hires for past misdeeds has become a must-do for employers. Companies that use screening measures have found they have less theft, better attendance, and a higher quality of workforce. Information Resources will run criminal checks, credit reports, employment verification, DMV reports, education checks, and more at discounted rates for STAFDA members.

Through Certegy, STAFDA members may utilize the nation's finest check management program at attractive rates. In most cases, the rate is lower than bankcard discounts. Certegy accepts claims even when the check number was not preprinted on the check, the check writer's phone number was not imprinted, Certegy's authorization number was not written on the check, and more. They also honor all claims submitted up to 60 days after the date on the check.

STAFDA provides five $1,000 scholarships to universities offering industrial distribution programs. Colleges include the University of Central Washington, Clarkson University, Eastern Carolina University, Purdue University, and Texas A & M University. Members may contact the STAFDA office for details on hiring, entry-level personnel for summer interns or to interview upcoming graduates.

NOVA Systems provides members with high-quality credit card processing solutions at discounted rates. With a complete credit card processing package from NOVA, members will receive support for all major credit cards, internal tracking programs, direct deposit into the financial institution of choice, and more. NOVA can also help small to mid-size businesses sell products online and process credit cards securely on their Web site. Wireless options are also available for credit card processing on the job site or in the warehouse.

This biennial survey is a compilation of wage and benefits for 33 hard lines associations. It covers salaries, bonuses, commissions, perks, retirement programs, fringes, vacation policies, etc. for 32 job categories. In addition to the 200 page survey results, participants receive a report with detailed information specific to STAFDA members comparing STAFDA numbers to the cross-industry sampling. This is a confidential survey available free to those who participate.

DHL/Menlo Discounts (back to top)

STAFDA members save 18-20% on Microsoft, Symantec, and other business software programs from License Online. The program also offers free referrals to tech support staff to help in software selection and implementation.

The Profile provides industry data on compensation plans, customer/product mix, advertising programs, sales meetings, fringe benefits, vacation policies, data processing, sales terms, etc. The Profile is free to all members and is conducted every two years.

This annual online Guide helps members make intelligent decisions on computer software purchases. The Guide offers an unbiased review of 20+ computer vendors who specialize in distribution and offers a matrix of capabilities for over a dozen system categories.

The Guide was developed by STAFDA Computer Consultant, Steve Epner, president of BSW Consulting. In addition to the Guide, Steve writes STAFDA's Computer Advisory and offers members 30 minutes of free phone consultation each year. He is also available for on-site consulting.

STAFDA has partnered with Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) to give members access to: background information on a customer, their financial stability & creditworthiness; profile new markets; source and qualify new suppliers; increase sales, and improve cash flow all at discounted prices. Members can save on both reports and their monthly service fee. STAFDA members receive an automatic 28.83% off most D&B reports and 50% off their monthly service fee. Members subscribing to the STAFDA/D&B program can save on these popular reports: Business Information Report ($41.17 vs. $62.85); Credit Check ($12.83 vs. $30.00). The STAFDA/D&B program attractively prices D&B's services that might otherwise be cost prohibitive.

This comprehensive employee policy handbook helps members issue information to ensure fair and equitable treatment of employees. Changing conditions, new laws, and increased civil rights litigation, particularly sexual harassment and age discrimination cases, make it important to remain alert to possible shortcomings in your personnel policies. This prototype handbook conforms to federal regulations, however, it is recommended it be reviewed by an attorney before distributing to employees.

Fax discounts may be obtained on Ricoh machines at list price less a minimum of 30%.

For members who ship Less-Than-Load (LTL), STAFDA's agreement with Freightquote.com can help save members time and money. Freightquote.com is an online freight logistics service enabling companies to price, arrange pick-ups, and track freight shipments with multiple carriers in minutes. With secured passwords on the Internet, members enter the shipping origin, destination, freight class, then watch as the interactive system searches among 30+ contracted national and regional carriers to find the fastest transit time and lowest cost. The online quote system considers class, weight, and distance to determine the rate. A Bill of Lading (BOL) is automatically filled out and the shipment is scheduled. By automating pick-up, delivery, invoicing and BOLs, paperwork is virtually eliminated. There is no minimum usage or monthly fee.

STAFDA and Gateway Computers have teamed up to offer U.S. and Canadian members a discount on all computers and related products. Members will receive a 5% discount on their purchases. Computers are ordered on-line through the special password STAFDA provides members.

Sentry Insurance offers members competitive pricing on general casualty/liability insurance. They also have other insurance products available to STAFDA members at reduced rates.

Reid London House can assist members make better hiring decisions on potential hires through an automated application and screening service. Their system has been proven to reduce shrinkage, decrease internal theft, absenteeism, and other counterproductive behaviors.

For STAFDA travelers, the Association has programs established with several hotel chains for exceptional savings. Hotels include: Best Western, Days Inn, Howard Johnson's, Radisson, Ramada, Renaissance, Sheraton, Super 8, Clarion, Rodeway, Econolodge and Travelodge. STAFDA rates don't apply to group meeting rates or other hotel promotions.

In the growing complexities of running a business, combined with increased demands by government agencies to comply with labor legislation, STAFDA presents a prototype of job descriptions common in the construction/industrial channel. These sample descriptions enable members to customize the duties and responsibilities of each job in their organization.

STAFDA members can participate in LEGALCARE, a legal assistance provider that offers members free legal advice on any business, professional or personal legal concern. STAFDA has paid for and enrolled the STAFDA contact at all U.S. distributor, associate, rep and affiliate member companies. Members call an 800 number, identify themselves as a STAFDA member and briefly state their problem -vendor dispute, collection problem, contract question, defendant in a lawsuit, government violation, criminal case, divorce etc. The 800 operator will have a "helpline" attorney call the member within 24- hours. All lawyers are part of LEGALCARE's unaffiliated network of 2000 attorneys, are from your state or city, fully insured, in good standing with their state bar, a practicing lawyer of at least 5 years and a specialist in the members' area of concern. Members have unlimited calls and free time to discuss their problem with an attorney and all calls are confidential. Members can also offer LEGALCARE's services to their own employees as an employee benefit. LEGALCARE will not deal with employee/employer related cases or labor relations issues.

Legislative and regulatory information is provided by the Small Business Legislative Council. This Washington D.C.-based organization lobbies on behalf of distributor interests, and alerts STAFDA to pending bills and regulations while supplementing our educational and legal needs.

STAFDA has over 500 books, video tapes, cassettes, and CDs on various business and industry topics. Items may be checked out of the Library for a 3-week period. Many members use Lending Library materials for their company's in-house training programs.

An intensive course for middle-to-senior management is conducted at a leading university. The four-day curriculum is designed to improve critical business skills and classes are taught by nationally known instructors with a distribution background. The school is open to all STAFDA membership categories.

McGraw-Hill Construction(back to top)

McGraw-Hill Construction Research & Analytics is the premier provider of construction market analysis, forecasts and trends. Our expert staff of leading industry economists develops and analyzes detailed historical and forecast databases of construction activity. We provide in-depth data and research to deliver relevant, insightful information that helps you make solid business decisions. Our solutions help firms build a foundation to reduce the risk of business decisions and plan for the future. Save 25% as a member of STAFDA. Over 8,000 analytics reports on non-residential and residential construction activities.

This annual printed Membership Directory is a valuable resource. This 500-page book is a "Who's Who" of the industry. Listings include who makes over 900 different products: nearly 2,570 member addresses and contacts; brand names; fax numbers: 800 numbers; e-mail; www; and a recap of association services and activities.

Find savings of up to 15% on the office items you use every day by visiting the special STAFDA/Office Depot website. All Office Depot products are discounted and select items are offered at an even lower rate for members.

Throughout the year, STAFDA publishes advisories covering a variety of topics: computer, inventory, credit/collections, tax, personnel, legislative, legal, sales, warehousing, etc. Members can order past advisories dating back to 1986. We also have several white papers relating to tax and financial issues written by Dr. Bart Basi, STAFDA's financial & tax planning consultant.

Many successful STAFDA members use Paychex, a nationwide service specializing in small business payroll preparation, automatic payment of payroll taxes, and filing of quarterly and annual returns. They will assume full responsibility for the accuracy and timeliness of all payroll tax deposits and returns. STAFDA members save 10% off their regular charges.

The annual P-A-R is a reliable benchmark by which distributors compare company financial performance with industry medians. In addition to the written report of projected management goals, participants receive a diskette to experiment with "what if" scenarios to gauge bottom line impact. Results of this confidential survey are made available to participants only. There is a separate P-A-R for rep members.

Personnel evaluation is conducted by Caliper Assessment to help members test new hires, candidates for promotion or others employees on their character, strength/weakness and personality traits. Test answers may be faxed to Caliper and they'll respond with a phone recommendation followed by a written report. STAFDA members receive special pricing.

Special prices are available to STAFDA members on fax machines, overnight mail, insurance programs, telecredit, Emery freight, auto rentals, employee testing, and honesty/drug testing.

STAFDA surveys its distributor members four times a year on their sales volume and how this compares to the overall construction industry. The report is published in the Association newsletter, the Trade News, and is broken down by region. Members also forecast their sales volume for the next quarter.

Each Spring, distributor members from 10 geographical areas meet at a first-class resort to hear educational programs and exchange views on sales, economic conditions, collections, supplier relations, and other topics of common interest.

Auto rental discounts are available from these companies, Alamo, Enterprise, National, and Hertz. Members may call the office to receive discount cards.

Integrated Shipping Solutions (ISS) knows small parcel shipping. ISS representatives will look over a member's 10 most recent shipping invoices and then leverage their knowledge of small parcel carrier pricing structures to negotiate the best deals available with the three major carriers (UPS, FedEx, and DHL). ISS is paid with a percentage of the savings earned for your company – so there is no risk.

The Surplus Sale allows members to list up to 25 items they wish to sell. All transactions and terms are negotiated between members. Items stay posted to the Surplus Sale for 45 days before auto-deleting. For obsolete or hard-to-find items, members may post their request to the Wish List. Again, all transactions and terms are negotiated between members. Items posted to the Wish List do not auto-delete.

The monthly Trade News reports on timely member news and industry and Association events. It offers thought-provoking management articles, editorials, and an "inside" view of current business activities.