Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/576085
WORLD FENCE NEWS • OCTOBER 2015 • 31 This industry has a very limit- ed barrier for entry and we all must do our part to uphold and protect the standards that we have established in the industry. We have to eliminate the erosion of quality not only on the sup- ply level, but on the installation level. Only 50% of a fence job is the quality of the product; the other 50% is the quality of the installation, and if we allow either side to compromise itself, we end up giving the industry a bad name. TL: Finally, after all is said and done, are you glad you chose this pro- fession and why? PH: Absolutely! I have met a lot of great people in this industry and have learned a lot through my growth within the industry. My hope is that I can pass on these experiences, knowl- edge and this vision to the next gen- eration and walk away knowing that I made a difference. TL: Great answers, and our thanks to Paul Harrison. As I men- tioned at the beginning of this article, I still have at least one more indus- try leader I plan to interview for next month's article, and at the conclusion of my interviews I hope readers can draw some of their own deductions regarding the fence industry and how their companies fit into the big pic- ture. I will also be putting in my two cents in at the conclusion, and also will be looking for your input as well. I can personally see patterns emerging already to some of my early questions and a final summary near the end of the fall should prove to be quite interesting. More so, as I also mentioned ear- lier, maybe we will gain a glimmer of insight into how we all can work together to continue to improve our collective lots and the business we all love so much. I look forward to any feedback from readers either to the WFN offices or directly to me at my contact info listed below. Tom Luby, president of Profit Builders International (PBI), has de- veloped the Roadmap to Success pro- gram, which offers business informa- tion necessary to successfully operate a fencing company. He has conducted seminars as part of the educational programs at the FenceTech and Jackpot conventions. Tom's entire Road- map to Success program is available on CD, along with The Close and The Roadmap to Success user man- ual. Phone Tom at 941-981-3677 or e-mail him at tluby@profitbuilder. org. For additional information visit the PBI web site which may be found at www.profitbuilder.org. The American Fence Association (AFA) has announced a name change for its Fence Industry Week to AFA University. The program will include the same schools and content as Fence Industry Week, and will be held Nov. 1-13, 2015 in Fort Worth, Tex. AFA University's comprehensive schools, certifications and training programs offer opportunities to im- prove skills, advance careers, and be recognized for commitment to profes- sional growth, the association stated, adding that "the purpose of AFA Uni- versity's education and certification programs is to enable individuals in the fence and access control industry to demonstrate a high level of pro- fessionalism and further differentiate themselves in today's highly compet- itive marketplace. "When doing business with AFA- trained professionals, customers can be assured that the work will be done properly and in accordance with cur- rent standards and best practices. AFA offers courses and certifications in all subject areas of the fence and access control industry, covering sales, de- sign, installation and more – so there's something for everyone, from rookie installers to company owners." The schools include: • Automated Gate Systems De- sign School (AGSD), Nov. 1-3, 2015 • Operator Installer School (OIS), Nov. 1-6, 2015 • Sales Training School (STS), Nov. 8-10, 2015 • Fence Installation School (FIS), Nov. 8-13, 2015 Additional options include: • First aid & CPR training, Nov. 2 & 3, 2015 • CAGSD exam, Nov. 3, 2015 • CAGOI exam, Nov. 6, 2015 • Certified Fence Professional (CFP) exam, Nov. 11, 2015 For information, call AFA at 800- 822-4342. AFA's Fence Industry Week has a new name