EDUCATIONAL FEATURE –––––––––––––––––– Teamwork and collaboration with associations and government programs address manpower issues Leveraging associa- tion benefits, network- ing, and being able to anticipate the future business outlook is more important than I’ve ever imagined. As a matter of confes- sion, the earlier years of career #2 were spent with my nose down to the grindstone, work- ing long hours as if enslaved to budgets and schedules. Transitioning from project management to a division director, becoming part of the larger community and interacting with others has proven invaluable. Working with organizations and associations At the local level, we are members of several organizations – ASAM (American Subcontractors Association), CWDA (Construction Workforce Development Alliance), ABC (Associated Builders and Contractors) and CFMA (Construction Financial Management Association). Across the board, each association is talking about the lack of human capital/manpower. Many business owners and individuals are wondering if there will ever be positive traction on this crucial topic. We are all talking about it; when will we see results? Here in Michigan, we are starting to see strategic efforts on several fronts, working to By Steve Coates, COO of Welch Tile and Marble Steve Coates of Welch Tile and Marble, sharing success stories at a monthly ASAM meeting. 86 TileLetter | February 2018