Some people just exude enthusiasm don’t they? They are usually very focused individuals with an ability to make you really want to listen to every single word they utter. I had a meeting the other week with such a chap – it was Ian Herrett, the Trade Director of FMB partner, TradePoint. I did know a bit about TradePoint before we had this meeting, for example I knew the TradePoint counters are in B&Q stores and that the price you see in the catalogue is the price you pay, you don’t have to try and work out what your discount may be – and I like that before we even look any further.
Ian wanted to tell me about how the TradePoint concept has been meticulously thought out to benefit its trade customers, he said: “Those working in the building industry are quite vociferous – they want separate trade counters, they don’t want to get stuck behind retail customers dithering over a few tins of paint. Time is money in the building industry, trade customers want to get in, get the goods and get away, so trade customers get their own entrance and own counter, even dedicated parking outside.” Even better, if you become a TradePoint member you can pick up stock from any store, ideal when you consider than many builders are working further away from their home patch these days. And who can’t find the local B&Q - they are quite hard to miss aren’t they? And once you get there, Ian said that availability on products is currently 99 percent – and that’s including goods out in the yard. Do you sometimes work seven days a week? – Well TradePoint is open all week and for long hours. Don’t think it’s all serious hard work though, there’s still time for the banter we couldn’t live without!
APPRENTICES
The front cover image on this month’s issue of Master Builder is of Kriss Akabusi (another person who has an enthusiasm for life!) and Jason Cade who was named ‘Apprentice of the Year’ at the National Construction College’s annual graduation ceremony, held at the College’s East campus in King’s Lynn, Norfolk. The FMB Director General, Richard Diment went along and as he says in his column this month, he found it to be an inspirational day.
ONE MORE THING...
...... just one more inspirational person for you (they do say things come in threes). Ron Storer has been the FMB National President for the past two years and as he prepares to step down at the end of his term, I spent a morning with him in Nottingham and spoke to him about the industry, his career, his presidency, his plans for the future and his adventurous trip across the Pennines in the snow in a bus!
