The Specialty Tools & Fasteners Distributors Association announced its 2021 convention workshops, including body language, diversity of thought, leadership and mindset, and the seven deadliest communications sins.

STAFDA’s 45th annual convention will be in-person October 24-26 in Orlando, FL.

Four concurrent 90-minute Sunday morning workshops are:

  • Decoding Micro-Expressions to Increase Sales, with Janine Driver, CEO of the Body Language Institute. How to read hidden facial expressions and spot deception on phone calls, emails, Facebook posts, handwritten notes and social media.
  • How to Work with & Lead People Not Like You, with Kelly McDonald. A diverse workforce may lead to better decisions, solutions and innovations. Diversity is more than racial or ethnic – it can be diversity of thought. Communication styles differ and cultural backgrounds vary and even men and women see situations differently.
  • The Unspoken Rules of Leadership, with Jamie Turner. The four pillars of leadership (mentoring, marketing, mindset and management). He will cover why the world’s best leaders work on their mindset first and their skillset second; How thinking “backwards” can influence others; Why humility is a secret weapon; The Law of Reciprocity to create a win/win environment; Turning a yes/no question into an either/or question to grow influence; and Why leading with a story rather than facts can make an effective persuader.
  • Overcoming the Seven Deadliest Communications Sins, with Skip Weisman. With experience as CEO for five professional baseball franchises, he will discuss interpersonal workplace communications; calculating cost of dysfunctional communication and increasing productivity.

Sunday afternoon:
In 2006, Tom Really wrote STAFDA’s outside sales training manual, Sales Pro. Tom’s son Paul Reilly is updating Sales Pro to include issues such as how the COVID-19 pandemic revolutionized outside sales: There are still field sales calls, but virtual selling has soared to the forefront.

Monday:
STAFDA previously announced author Bill Taylor, a co-founder of business magazine Fast Company, will be the 2021 keynote speaker; president Brian Gersten of On Time Supply will give the State-of-the-Industry address; and Don Kudiak of Aerosmith Fastening Systems will be the associate speaker.

Tuesday:
Economic Update with Alan Beaulieu, president of ITR Economics. Economic recap of 2021 and forecast for 2022 and beyond. Everyone wants to get back to “normal” and Beaulieu will highlight what sectors are achieving success over others.

The STAFDA convention is a members-only event. Members will receive registration materials in mid-June. Web: STAFDA.org