By Sandy Blalock • ARA Executive Director
Embracing Excellence
We are engaging with many industry partners for your benefit, but the resounding message is that certification is important and is viewed by many that certified businesses are dedicated to providing the highest level of customer service and products.
Strive to be the best and leave the rest up to ARA. We focus all of our work to protect the professional auto recycling industry’s right to sell auto parts in the most profitable market available without restrictions. We all know that reuse is the purest form of recycling and that is why ARA trademarked the phrase “Reuse Then Recycle™” because it is who we are and what we do.
The role that each of you play to advance our industry is to help us by always striving to be the best and sell quality parts. Get engaged and help assure that the needs of the industry are being met by ARA. Another fantastic way to help ARA represent you is if each of our members take the pledge to become certified automotive recyclers. We are engaging with many industry partners for your benefit, but the resounding message is that certification is important and is viewed by many that certified businesses are dedicated to providing the highest level of customer service and products.
Your work environment helps others understand who you are and what is important to you. It also reminds you every day of how to be the best person you can be. What does your work environment communicate to others? How can you design it to maximize your motivations to be the best businessperson you can be? Ask yourself these questions and work towards a better work environment and let the ARA certification program help you achieve your goals.
In addition to that, one way to motivate yourself and others is to set goals or make a list and put it in a place you always see.
As you begin to cross items off that list, the small sense of accomplishment can push you to work harder and accomplish even more!
ARA certification is a great place to start. I have visited many recyclers over the years and, honestly, more than half would pass certification requirements on the first pass. The foundation of the program is based on what is already required by law in the areas of environmental stewardship and workplace safety. It also incorporates a business aspect to evaluating your facility. When I certified my auto recycling business, I could see a visible improvement and it also provided my team with more structure to assure a better product was leaving our facility with every order fulfillment.
Use it to define yourself and let others know that you are simply the best in your market. Stop the race to the bottom. Believe in your processes, products and your team. Let’s all raise the standards together. Create a business environment that your team enjoys coming to everyday and they will be your greatest asset.
Always remember that your ability is what you are capable of accomplishing, your motivation and that of your team will determine what you do. However, most importantly, attitude will be the determining factor in how well you do it. A motivator once said, “Be the light that others can come to with their ideas, visions, and dreams. Never doubt that blending your talents with those of others can change the world.”
“The greatest discovery of any generation is that a human being can alter his/her life by altering his/her attitude.” – William James
Reach Sandy Blalock at sandy@a-r-a.org. Share your thoughts pertaining to the advancement of professional automotive recycling. Your letter could be published in an upcoming issue.
