Norman Jackson, Director of the Essential Hardware Group, gave an Executive Overview of the changes within the Essential Group. He highlighted a change in Operations, the formation of the Essential Business Consultants Team (EBC Team). The team is made up of previous Regional Managers, who in the past brought their specific expertise to only their particular region. By bringing these managers together and consolidating their knowledge into a common and shared resource, the group is able to provide a complete skill set of Retail science to all their members.

 

Bradley Young from Hub Hardware (Swaziland) and Carmelo Naciti from E.N. Building Supplies (MP) gave compelling testimonials of the benefits they have experienced by embracing the EBC Team’s store analysis process and the implementation of the recommendations.

 

Norman went on to describe the results of 2 other initiatives, namely Community Days and the Value Charter.

It was humbling to see what our member stores across the country were doing in their Communities, at a Grass-Roots level. Along with additional sponsorship from valued suppliers, it was amply clear that the community involvement events are being executed in the spirit of “Giving Back”. Feedback on their events was given by store owners, Ebrahim from Tri-Circle Hardware Ixopo (and Umzinto) KZN and by Charl de Waal from Virginia Hardware in the Free State.

 

Norman indicated that the Value Charter initiative had been a great success. Mutalieb & Yahya from Bargain House in Polokwane outlined the positive impact that implementing a set of solid Values has had on their business. Stock shrinkage, staff disciplinaries, mutual respect, customer engagement and sales have all improved in a meaningful way. Mutalieb highly recommended that every business should implement such a Value System.

 

The last topic covered, was on the shift in Marketing Efforts. The Business Model of Essential, being a TRULY Voluntary Trading Model, does not demand any Marketing fees from their Members and thus Head Office budget must be highly targeted and MEASURABLE. Essential Hardware understands how busy their members are and thus continue to look for opportunities to assist them where possible. Norman announced the formation of multiple “We’ll Do It For You” marketing initiatives, that include Inbound and Outbound Marketing plans. Efforts will be targeted around each stores town. Social Media was clearly a focus of attention, with each store having their own (managed) facebook page by the end of this year, and a subsidised website programme available. A Head Office team has also been set up to create and send, customized and targeted e-mailers, on behalf of our members, to their customers and potential customers.

 

What was striking from the speech, was there was none of the normal “This is what we are going to be doing in the future”, but rather, “This is what we have done, why we have done it and what the strategic reason was for making those decisions”. It was refreshing to see real ACTION.

 

Members and Suppliers received Certificates for their achievments.

NEW TEAM PLAYER OF THE YEAR - NATIONAL ADHESIVE DISTRIBUTORS
TEAM PLAYER OF THE YEAR - EXCELSIOR PAINTS
SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR  - Silver - UNITED TUBE (PTY) LTD
SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR  - Platinum - L&G TOOL & MACHINERY LTD
SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR - Gold – PPC LTD
 

MEMBER AWARDS

NEW TEAM PLAYER OF THE YEAR - MIDDELBURG ESSENTIAL
BEST NETWORK SUPPORT - HUB HARDWARE - SWAZILAND
AMBASSADOR OF THE YEAR  - Platinum - NORMANS HARDWARE

AMBASSADOR OF THE YEAR  - Gold - VIRGINIA HARDWARE & AMMUNITION

AMBASSADOR OF THE YEAR  - Silver - QUALITY PLUMBERS

 

Entertainment was provided in the form of a “Flash Mob” that got up from the tables of unsuspecting members and suppliers, made their way to the stage and treated the attendees to an energetic dance routine. This crew later returned with a high energy dance choreographed to incorporate Essentials companies values

 

During the Breakfast period, Fanie de Villers autographed balls and giveaways for the attendees, and handed out the lucky draws prizes.

 

To close, Fanie gave a motivational chat …. Then it was back to work…Fit for Business!

 

Also See DIY Trade News article: http://www.nmpb2b.co.za/DIY/digimags/2014/dec/index.html#38