Door Industry Journal - Summer 2020

Also online at: www.dijonline.co.uk THE door industry journal summer 2020 Industry News 8 The Tamworth-based trade association adopted an immediate ‘business as usual’ policy, with team members working from home and operations continuing very much as normal. Giving the business a ‘sense of continuity’ has been vital for ADSA, who, mid-lockdown, saw a staggering two thirds of their membership re-join for a further 12 months. Adding value has been critical in achieving this, as Managing Director, Ken Price, explains: “We have been delighted that such a large number of our membership base has recognised the value that we bring as a trade association,” he says. “We have worked extremely hard to increase the visibility of the organisation during lockdown and offered members free training via our learning academy. More users than ever have taken advantage of this benefit. At the end of the day, with tough times ahead, it would have been so easy not to re-join ADSA; we are only as strong as our membership and have been touched by the loyalty they have demonstrated.” Additional COVID-secure training has been delivered to members throughout lockdown via a live web stream. ADSA partnered with Coventry-based creatives, Red Shell Productions, who instantly understood their requirements, and streamlining course content with lots of natural breaks and energy, devised a platform that has effectively given members the training they need, in an environment they can control. ADSA even devised a home learning course for members to enable them to prepare for working from home. “We looked at our training offering and produced different elements for webinars, for example, we held a webinar on risk assessment. The webinars produced an excellent uptake. We have delivered online training to members in Northern and Southern Ireland, Scotland, the Isle of Man and the Isle of Wight” explains Ken, “none of whom have been able to travel. Examinations have been configured to enable delegates to complete these remotely, with 20 of the 23 attendees on the first course, passing the examination. Members have been fantastic, engaging with the process of remote learning, instantaneously.” With RIBA-approved CPD, ADSA has also been able to deliver a CPD webinar to its members in Ireland, and an international webinar to approximately 140 members of GAI (Guild of Architectural Ironmongers), with the audience tuning in from as far afield as Singapore, India, Australia and the US. ADSA has collaborated closely with fellow Tamworth-based trade association, dhf (Door & Hardware Federation), with regards to initiating face-to-face training at their on-site facility. The two organisations have been able to achieve this successfully, delivering COVID-secure sessions to small groups. Success has also come in the form of ADSA’s CSCS (Construction Skills Certification Scheme) offering, with the association issuing more construction skills cards in the past five months, than in all of 2019. What is clear is that ADSA has not let the grass grow under it whilst in lockdown! On the contrary, the organisation has lit a fire under its objectives and gone ‘above and beyond’ for its members. Adding value, acknowledging member anxieties and supporting them in every way possible, has resulted in a trade association that is stronger than ever. “I should also like to acknowledge ADSA employees for demonstrating extraordinary resilience and commitment during this time,” adds Ken. “They have, effectively, taken the organisation ‘into their homes’ and have been determined to deliver a first-class service for our members. Although there are difficult times ahead, we are well-positioned, and I believe our members are confident in that.” Automatic Door Suppliers Association, 01827 216136, www.adsa.org.uk Automatic Door Suppliers Association’s (ADSA) COVID-safe Initiatives Achieve the ‘Thumbs-up’ from Their Members Despite the challenges faced by COVID-19, Automatic Door Suppliers Association (ADSA) will be emerging from ‘lockdown’ stronger than ever, thanks to a swift response and number of unique initiatives.