Education

From sales education to personal motivation, these seminars will give you an added boost to your business! Click on a link below to view the full description:

Mark Scharenbroich | Jim Dion | Bill Wagner | Al Bates
Mike Cudahy | Howard Pryor | Barbara Sanfilippo

Mark Scharenbroich - Keynote Speaker

Nice Bike.  Making connections that Move People
Minnesota is known for its cold weather, Paul Bunyan, Lake Wobegon—and above-average motivational speakers. Mark Sharon-brock, is a native Minnesotan who has spoken to more than 3,500 audiences, earned an Emmy award, and been inducted into the National Speakers Association’s prestigious Hall of Fame.

His method is unconventional and fun. You’ll meet some memorable characters and hear messages that are designed to improve everyone’s engagement at work, enhance team collaboration and fuel our passion to serve others.

Mark has spent his career working in both education and business, discovering how some of the best organizations and industry leaders build a culture that encourages personal and professional growth.

His message is about making connections that move people.

To learn more about Mark click here.

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Jim Dion

Creating a Sell Room, Not a Showroom
Jim Dion, founder and president of Chicago-based Dionco Inc., is an internationally known consultant, keynote speaker, trainer, and author of the best-sellers Retail Selling Ain’t Brain Surgery, It’s Twice As Hard, Start and Run a Retail Business and The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Starting and Running a Retail Store.

Jim consults, trains and speaks on consumer trends, retail technology, selling and service, retail merchandising and operations, marketing and leadership.

With a BS, MS degree in Psychology from Chicago State University and a Ph.D. (abd) in Industrial Psychology from the Illinois Institute of Technology combined with over 30 years of progressive retail experience working at Sears, Levi Strauss and Gilmore Department Stores, Jim is one of the most sought after consultants and speakers in the US and internationally.

As a consultant, he has helped hundreds of retailers large and small successfully reposition their retail business, including Ritz-Carlton, Harley-Davidson, Hummer, Poster Plus, The Hat Shack, and Potomac ABC to name a few.

To learn more about Jim click here.

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Bill Wagner

Workshop: How to Hire the Right People Using Personality
Profiling

For nearly twenty years, Bill Wagner has been at the forefront of entrepreneurial practice and research. He has devoted nearly all of his adult life to understanding entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship -- first as a student, then as an entrepreneur and now as a teacher.

He is the Co-founder and CEO of Accord Management Systems, Inc; a firm dedicated to helping executives make logical conclusions about themselves and the people within their organizations. Working hand-in-hand with entrepreneur-focused organizations such as The Executive Committee (TEC), the Young Entrepreneur's Organization (YEO), The International Franchise Association (IFA), he is able to stay on the cutting edge of research and knowledge on entrepreneurship.

Bill is an expert in due diligence, mergers and acquisitions, organizational alignment, succession planning and tactical applications such as selection, leadership development, motivation and team building. He helps audiences and clients understand why issues exist, what to do about them and how to fix them. He calls himself an "insultant" rather than a mere consultant, who believes the difference is in the message. He rocks the boat and tells the truth, helping clients become their own organizational therapists. Bill focuses on questioning answers rather than answering questions.

Unlike other organizational specialists, Bill focuses exclusively on using behavioral tools from a strategic, rather than a tactical perspective. As a result, he is one of the most in-demand authorities on the subject today. Each year, he presents to thousands of CEOs at more than 100 seminars and workshops across the country. Well over 90% of those who hear him speak are entrepreneurs, CEOs or senior level executives. Widely published, his articles and interviews have appeared in such benchmark publications as Entrepreneur Magazine, Inc. Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, Franchise World, Workforce Magazine, Wells Fargo's Business Advisor Handbook of Business Strategy, Lodging and Hospitality, Federal Credit Union, Los Angeles Business Journal, California CEO Magazine, and YEO's Axis Magazine.

Prior to founding Accord Management Systems, he held corporate positions at Xerox, Frito-Lay and Protection One Alarms.

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Al Bates

Company Performance Report
One of CTDA's most popular speakers, Al Bates from the Profit Planning Group has proven expertise in a number of financial and management fields and he will once again present the annual CTDA Company Performance Report.

The report, compiled confidentially from responses of ceramic tile distributors across the country, gives you a clear and concise view of the financial strengths and weaknesses of the ceramic tile distribution industry.

But that’s not all! Financial challenges that arise in a downturn economy are challenging. This session will distinguish between actions that really help and those that only make a difficult situation worse. Identify draining cash traps - inventory and accounts receivable, and slam the door on expenses - focusing on areas where reductions are possible without sacrificing customer service.

To learn more about the Profit Planning Group and Al click here.

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Mike Cudahy and Howard Pryor

Greenbuilding
Mike Cudahy
Michael is the Codes and Training Specialist for the Plastic Pipe and Fittings Association (PPFA). He represents plastic pipe in building codes, training, technical questions, green and sustainable building issues, life cycle analysis and other related issues. He is a NAHB National Green Building Standard Committee member, and also was a member of Task Group 3, Resource Efficiency and Homeowner Education.

He has a degree in Chemistry from Polytechnic University where he studied polymers and plastics, recycling and metals. Michael also has some background in forensic science, hazardous material recycling, solders and solvent cements.

Participants will learn the background behind and the importance of being involved in several green building rating systems and standards. Participants will discover what Life Cycle Analysis and Life Cycle Inventory are and how they may impact the industry. They will discover how ceramic tile and similar products can approach the green building market. 

Howard Pryor
Howard graduated from the University of Notre Dame. He has been Director of Architectural Services for Conestoga Ceramic Tile for over 23 years. He is a certified Ceramic Tile Sales Person, A Certified Ceramic Tile Consultant and a Certified Construction Specifier.

He currently serves on the board for CTDA and is chairman of the Green Building Committee. Howard also serves on the Certification Committee and helped design the new CCTS Certification program and exam.

He is on the Mold Committee and has served as President for the Central Pennsylvania Chapter of CSI (Construction Specification Institute) and was past chairman of the certification committee for the Middle Atlantic Region of CSI.

The participants in Howard’s presentation will learn:

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Barbara Sanfilippo

Increase Sales, Engage Staff, Delight Customers – How to Thrive in Challenging Times and Enjoy Life!
Barbara Sanfilippo, CSP, CPAE!
Romano & Sanfilippo
San Diego, California
Author, Dream Big! What’s the Best That Can Happen?

In these chaotic, competitive and challenging times you must out-sell, out-serve and out-smart the competition! Whatever worked in the past, may not work now. The days of order-taking are over. We must become order-makers, create a sense of urgency and engage our staff to deliver our service promise. In this idea-packed, interactive and energizing session, you’ll receive specific strategies you can apply immediately to: master the sales process, differentiate with service, add value, and delight customers. As a bonus, Barbara will also share powerful and fun ideas to help us enjoy more Cappuccino Moments™ and Dream Big!

Don’t miss this opportunity to hear this award-winning speaker share best practices and tools you can use immediately to increase sales and enjoy life in the process!

To learn more about Barbara click here.

 

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