Message from the Executive Director
PMI Think Tank Concludes: If You Rest, You Rust!
By: Barbara C. Higgens, PMI Executive Director
Echoing PMI President, Lee Mercer’s sentiments in this month’s edition of PMI News, I would like to thank everyone who participated in this month’s meeting of the Strategic Advisory Council. Since its reorganization in 1998, PMI has benefitted from the active involvement of members to keep our organization focused, relevant and fresh. The meeting facilitator, in fact, was impressed by the level of participation of the Think Tank group and their understanding of what it takes to keep PMI at the forefront.
In addition to Lee and myself, the group was comprised of Board members, past PMI Board presidents and invited guests. Included were: Jeff Baldwin, T & S Brass and Bronzeworks; Jon Dommisse, Bradley Corporation; Casey Hayes, Haws Corporation; Lyle Hunnicutt, (formerly Fortune Brands and now an industry consultant); Jack Krecek, Elkay Manufacturing Company; Ken Martin, Delta Faucet Company; Rick Reles, Kohler Co.; Craig Selover, Masco; Mike Sennett, Jones Day; Walt Strader, Price Pfister (ret.); John Watson, Sloan Valve Company; and Stu Yang, Kohler Co.
The event kicked off May 4th with a networking dinner, which included PMI staff and a keynote presentation by author Rebecca Rolfes. I had met Rebecca at a conference of the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) and was impressed (and a little frightened) by her admonition to associations to either adapt or die. Prior to the strategy session, the group had been sent copies of and was asked to read her book The Competition Within: How Members Will Reinvent Associations. A lively discussion ensued!
The following morning, as a group, we spent some time reviewing the Vision and Mission Statements, updated last February, and the S.W.O.T. analysis, last conducted in 2006 (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats). PMI staff, a solid financial footing, the ability to create a call-to-action on legislative issues and membership loyalty/support remain our greatest strengths. Our greatest opportunities lie within the realm of leveraging our workshops and enhancing our visibility and influence. We must be on the lookout for the impact of industry consolidation and diversify our income by exploring new sources of non-dues revenue.
We compared the State of the Union in 1998 vs. today. The review revealed that, as predicted long ago by 2006 PMI President, Claude Theisen, PMI membership base remains constant at right around 35 members. The expansion and contraction of our industry through growth and consolidation has kept our membership at a healthy but relatively flat level. That said, the membership represents something in the neighborhood (we estimate) of 90% of the products manufactured and sold in North America. Our operating budget has also remained constant. Except for some “rounding” of dues categories, there has been no increase to PMI dues since 1998.
Despite consistent membership and steady dues levels, the growth of PMI staff and services has not remained the same! We are doing more today with the same budget we had 12 years ago. We have added staff, which now includes two technical experts. We have added state lobbyists in California, Texas and Massachusetts to complement the work being done by our Federal lobbyists. We have increased our international involvement from our valuable partnership with and singular focus on Canada in 1998. Today we have formal agreements with Canada, the UK and Australia and actively participate in conferences annually around the world. We participate on U.S. governmental committees including Department of Commerce and Department of Energy. As WaterSense partners, we have a terrific and mutually beneficial working relationship with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
In the spirit of continuous improvement, we have revamped our PMI home site three times over the past 12 years and are set to redesign the site again this year to optimize its content and navigation. We have enhanced the Members Only section of our home website and have expanded our web presence with the addition of www.safeplumbing.org. We have added a public relations team to assist in promoting the visibility of our organization and the good works of all of our members.
Following this review, the group was lead through an industry S.W.O.T. by meeting facilitator, Pat Farrey, principal and founding partner of Landon Farrey & Associates. The result of the full day of analysis and discussion, as Lee notes in his report on page 1, advocacy has taken on a dramatic new role in our lives and in our association. It rivals “technical expertise” as the Number One benefit of PMI membership. PMI will build on its foundation of pulling groups together, building coalitions and speaking with an industry voice to affect change.
In addition, we will explore the world of e-communications, and perhaps even e-workshops and meetings. We will tap into social media to spread the good word of PMI. We will look at hosting a supplier event and to expanding membership categories. We will continue to add member value (watch for monthly conference calls on a variety of technical topics) and will expand our reach and value internationally.
The group adjourned energized about the future of the industry and our industry organization. Can you feel the excitement?! Stay tuned.