News and information for IMRs
CPMR Report 02.07
2006….a year of progress and success!
Dr. Marilyn Friesen retired at the end of 2006 after 23 years as Executive VP of MRERF. Only the few truly understand the commitment Marilyn made that many years ago….the first CPMR class…..18 agents. We are all fortunate to have Marilyn as a "for fee" consultant into the future. You can still contact Marilyn@mrerf.org. She would like to hear from you. MRERF & CPMR were her baby!!
Dr. Dan McQuiston , a trusted friend, instructor and adviser of CPMR for over 13 years, agreed to assume the position as Director of Education for CPMR-CPFB & CSP. During the past year Dan has been working with Marilyn to accommodate the transition. Dan is also the Marketing Area Coordinator at Butler University, Indianapolis, IN. E: dan@mrerf.org.
Susannah Hart , with the foundation and CPMR program since 1990 was promoted to the Executive Director position of MRERF/CPMR working from her home office in Arvada, CO P: 303-463-1801 E: susannah@mrerf.org
The Dr. Marilyn Friesen fund at the MRERF Endowment was established to honor the many years of Professional and Educational management that Dr Friesen has given to the manufacturers’ rep’s and their 33 Associations. The following is the list of those Associations whose members have already contributed, year to date…..thank you!!!!…. NEMRA 15, ERA 6, HIRA 2, PTRA 2, MAFSI 2, MANA 11, OPRA 4, ISA 3, IHRA 1, NKBA 1, SEMA1, WAMA 1, CMA 1, The $25,000 goal, $11,000 to go.
The MRERF Endowment was established at the Seattle Foundation. With the addition of the Dr. Marilyn Friesen Fund goal dollars of $25,000.00, the Endowment will have over $125,000.00. A MRERF Endowment Grant committee has been appointed and funds grants may be given yearly, uses will include research or significant MRERF projects. (Only a portion of endowment fund income is eligible for grants)
Your new interactive web site, www.cpmr.biz was launched. This web site focuses on your designation and has had over 10,000 hits year to date. When your yearly membership fees are remitted, your name is then included on the CPMR Active Roster for 2007. Over the next year there will be an explanation of the pages and improvements. The web site focuses on the designations CPMR CPFB and CSP. (Questions and suggestions send to susannah@mrerf.org)
CPMR - ONE GREAT IDEA CAN INFLUENCE YOUR AGENCY'S SUCCESS
CPMR attendance is reaching the new expected heights with 277 in attendance at Arizona State Jan. 2007. There are now 1600 active CPMRs Internationally. New classes and instructors have been added. The Education Committee has dedicated CPMR members and continues to explore those needed subjects of importance to the rep community. Your ideas are encouraged!
Three (3) new member associations joined MRERF in 2006…I-Pro – A/V Electronic Products, STAFDA; Specialty Tool & Fastener Distributors Association, IUCAB International Union of Agents and Brokers
After three years of rewrite and updates, the third edition of the Rep Operations Manual was completed and made available in 2006. The manual is a desk top must for all agency owners or managers. The manual is available at $59.95 at www.mrerf.org/products.htm. There were over 30 educators, CPMRs and association executives involved in this initiative. The result is a credit to your profession and it's really a great agency resource manual.
CPMR - TO PERFORM AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL FOR YOUR MANUFACTURERS
Put MRERF.org, CPMR.biz on your allowed E-mail list
Pi Sigma Epsilon (PSE) Sell-a-thon initiative was fortunate to have 1/2 of the coaches and judges as CPMR's at their National Competition in Mpls., MN. CEUs were earned by the participating CPMRs. The major credit goes to the CPMR VP of Special Projects, Charley Cohon CPMR for his efforts. CPMRs should go to the http://www.pse.org/ web site for more info. This is a great opportunity to recruit your next agency associate.
The MRERF and CPMR executive committee judiciously managed the finances for MRERF/CPMR so that into the future your executive CPMR program will improve and become more visible with the manufacturing community. A Special Thanks to Tom Wilson, Secretary-Treasurer, for his expertise, diligence and hard-nosed dedication to MRERF, the CPMRs, and the future of the profession.
The Executive Committee has negotiated a new, five year (2008- 2012) agreement with Arizona State University. This assures the continuing venue at this highly respected university…the preferred site for the future CPMR sessions.
CPMR, GREAT REP EXECUTIVE COURSES TAUGHT BY GREAT INSTRUCTORS
The Corporate year for MRERF-CPMR has been changed to end March 1st of each year, rather then calendar. This was implemented to better manage and report the Foundations income and funds.
The 2007-2008-2009 CPMR Awareness initiative is in the hopper and all CPMRs should begin to see the visible new initiative. Your cooperation and participation will be required where the manufacturer is involved. Ideas are appreciated.
The By-laws require that CEU's (Continuing Education Units) be reported to retain your designation. CEUs can now be reported ON-LINE at http://www.cpmr.biz/continuing-education.php. To re-iterateall CPMRs must register 3 CEUs (1 CEU = ten hours) every 3 years to maintain their CPMR designation. Please report them as you earn them…CEUs can be banked. You will be receiving a CEU status letter shortly. The other requirement is your $100.00 annual certification fee. To maintain the credibility of the CPMR designation the requirements are inforced. There are many options for CEU credit…click on the link to see the list.
CPMR - DEVELOPING THE TOTAL PROFESSIONAL REP FIRM
CPMR; CPFB; logos are registered Trade Marks in the USA and Internationally. If you do not have the logo in electronic form for your web site or print requirements email susannah@mrerf.org
The New CPMR Brochure is now available in quantity. The brochure is much brighter, has update information, new instructors pictures, and the new class descriptions. This is a proud looking product and a great sales piece for all CPMR prospects.
CPMR – CPFB Alumni Reunion… Mark your calendar for the Alumni Reunion coming January 9-11, 2008. There will be a banquet, golf, and great educational programming.
The MRERF research funding continues with projects in progress by Dr. Douglas Austrom and Dr. Robert Palmatier. Upon completion of these projects the reports will be posted on the web site.
Be sure to stop by the MRERF/CPMR/CSP booth at your association conference to see what is new! One of the staff or executive committee will be there to provide CEU forms and bring you up to date.
CPMR - CLASSES YOU CAN'T PASS UP, SO YOUR AGENCY WON'T BE
CSP BRIEFS
The CSP program has gained in importance, stature and recognition among reps, distributors and manufacturers. CPMR granted the CSP designation to 166 sales professionals in 2006. 2007 is scheduled for 10 regional seminars and five Corporation on-site location specific seminars. Already over 100 distributor and rep sales personnel are committed or registered. You should at the minimum review the CSP course for your personnel…it really is the best being offered. Chick on the link below for the new CSP brochure.
http://mrerf.org/education/CSPBro_FINAL_spring07.pdf
CSP - TAKE YOUR SALESPERSON SUCCESS TO A HIGHER LEVEL
A special CSP "Thank You" to NEMRA's Hank Bergson and Mr. Tom Nabor, President of The National Association of Electrical Distributors (NAED) for their collaboration and endorsement and enthusiastic member participation in the CSP program. Everyone involved has exceptional sales personnel on the street. Could you have imagined a rep and distributor sales person in the same training room? Great interplay…one is the channel and the other, the rep, serves the channel….who would've thought….great!!! All markets, all industries, all distributors are invited to participate
Special Mention
This past year has seen the retirement of two of the most influential individuals in the Association Management business in Mr. Ray Hall of ERA and Joe Miller of MANA.
Mr. Ray Hall of ERA was the first and strongest Association Executive supporter of MRERF. He was diligent, committed, and persuasive. Plus, he was always available for comment and ideas regarding the CPMR program and the good of the rep function. Ray was on the committee that hired Dr. Marilyn Friesen, promoted the CPMR program and too many other good things to cover in this memo. Thank you, Ray! May retirement be long term and blessed with good health.
Mr. Joe Miller became president of MANA in 1997 and managed the largest of all rep Associations until he retired in 2006. His credits are many and don't stop with new rep protective legislation in many states, and the introduction and of IUCAB to MRERF or his improvement in the Agency Sales magazine. He was a driver when it came to MRERF, opened MANA's pocket books when a project needed funding. Joe was a genuine friend to our industry…a leader! Thanks, again, Joe, enjoy your time with your hobbies and family.
A Final note
Mr. Steve Grossman CPMR, has volunteered to write a monthly CPMR BRIEFS for the next year. Starting with the next monthly edition, all active CPMRs will receive this enhanced publication on the third Friday of each month via Email. It will be a one page e-mail highlighting news and programs that CPMRs will want to know about.
In 2006, CPMRs received 11 CPMR BRIEFS and many other notices from the CPMR staff. Look for more information in 2007, especially regarding the manufacturers awareness of CPMR and CSP. SO…..make sure susannah@mrerf.org is on your allowed list. Promise we will not flood you with email!
